India-Cyprus Joint Maritime Committee: High Commissioner Manish meets shipping deputy minister
Synopsis
India and Cyprus have institutionalised their maritime ties through the inaugural Joint Maritime Committee, with High Commissioner Manish meeting Deputy Shipping Minister Marina Hadjimanolis in Nicosia to take stock of outcomes. A reciprocal Cypriot delegation visit to India — with business representatives from the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce — is now in the works, signalling real commercial traction behind the diplomatic momentum.
Key Takeaways
India's High Commissioner Manish met Cyprus Deputy Minister of Shipping Marina Hadjimanolis in Nicosia on 6 October 2026 .
The meeting reviewed outcomes of the 1st India–Cyprus Joint Maritime Committee (JMC) held on 29 September 2026 in Limassol .
Discussions covered maritime education , green shipping , ship repair and recycling , seafarer welfare , and IMO cooperation .
A Cypriot shipping and business delegation from the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry is expected to visit India to sustain momentum.
The Indian delegation engaged with the Cyprus Ports Authority , Cyprus Shipping Chamber , and visited the Port of Limassol from 28 September to 1 October 2026 .
India's High Commissioner to Cyprus, Manish, on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, met Deputy Minister of Shipping Marina Hadjimanolis in Nicosia to review outcomes of the inaugural India–Cyprus Joint Maritime Committee (JMC) meeting, marking a significant step in bilateral maritime cooperation between the two nations.
Background: The Joint Maritime Committee Meeting
The 1st India–Cyprus Joint Maritime Committee meeting was held on 29 September 2026 in Limassol, co-chaired by Joint Secretary (International Cooperation), Venkatesapathy S, from India's Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Acting Permanent Secretary Theodoulos Mesimeris of Cyprus's Shipping Deputy Ministry. The Indian delegation also included Deputy Director General of the Directorate General of Maritime Administration, Deependra Singh Bisen.
Key Areas of Discussion
Talks at the JMC spanned a wide range of maritime themes: maritime education and training, investment opportunities, exchange of policies and strategies as best practices, and cooperation on matters of mutual interest at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). Opportunities explored covered maritime services, shipping finance, ship repair and recycling, seafarer training and welfare, and green shipping, according to the Indian High Commission.
Upcoming Cypriot Delegation to India
High Commissioner Manish conveyed his expectation of welcoming a Cypriot shipping delegation to India, to be led by Deputy Minister Hadjimanolis, alongside a business delegation from the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The visit is intended to carry forward the momentum generated by the JMC meeting.
Industry Engagements and Site Visits
High Commissioner Manish joined the Indian delegation's engagements with Cypriot maritime authorities and industry from 28 September to 1 October 2026. The delegation met the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, leading shipping and maritime companies, the Cyprus Ports Authority, and the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute, and visited the Port of Limassol. The High Commission also acknowledged Prabhat Jha, CEO, and Nita Jha, Director, MSC Shipmanagement Limited, for hosting an informal gathering to discuss shared maritime and shipping interests.
Why This Matters
Cyprus is one of the world's leading ship management hubs, with a registry among the top ten globally. India, home to a large seafarer workforce and a growing ports sector, sees Cyprus as a strategic partner for maritime services expansion and seafarer welfare. The JMC framework institutionalises what has until now been largely informal bilateral engagement, opening pathways for joint positions at the IMO and coordinated green shipping initiatives — a priority area as global shipping prepares for tighter emissions regulations.
Point of View
Rather than remaining a diplomatic courtesy call.
NationPress
6 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the India–Cyprus Joint Maritime Committee?
The India–Cyprus Joint Maritime Committee (JMC) is a bilateral institutional framework to deepen cooperation in shipping and maritime affairs between India and Cyprus. The inaugural meeting was held on 29 September 2026 in Limassol and was co-chaired by officials from both countries' maritime ministries.
What did the India–Cyprus JMC meeting cover?
The meeting covered maritime education and training, investment opportunities, policy exchange as best practices, and cooperation at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). Specific opportunities explored included maritime services, shipping finance, ship repair and recycling, seafarer training and welfare, and green shipping.
Who represented India at the Joint Maritime Committee meeting?
India was represented by Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) Venkatesapathy S from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Deputy Director General of the Directorate General of Maritime Administration, Deependra Singh Bisen. High Commissioner Manish also joined related delegation engagements.
What is the next step following the JMC meeting?
A Cypriot shipping delegation led by Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis, along with a business delegation from the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is expected to visit India to build on the outcomes of the inaugural JMC meeting.
Why is India's maritime partnership with Cyprus significant?
Cyprus is a major global hub for ship management and operates one of the top-ten ship registries worldwide. India has a large seafarer workforce and a growing ports sector, making the partnership strategically important for expanding maritime services, coordinating green shipping efforts, and aligning positions at the IMO.
