Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh on Tuesday, 13 October led an Indian defence delegation to Mari Naval Base in Cyprus, where discussions with the Cyprus Naval Command centred on deepening bilateral maritime security cooperation, Navy-to-Navy exchanges, search and rescue coordination, joint training, and port calls by Indian naval vessels. India's High Commissioner to Cyprus, Manish, accompanied the delegation throughout the visit.

Key Developments at Mari Naval Base

Singh and his delegation met Commodore Nicolaos Luca, Commander of the Cyprus Naval Command, for structured talks on practical naval cooperation. The discussions advanced the framework outlined under the Roadmap for Bilateral Defence Cooperation (2026–2031), with particular emphasis on sustaining regular contact between the two navies and building domain awareness in shared maritime zones.

The delegation also visited Commodore Andreas Loannides (P61), the Cyprus Navy's offshore patrol vessel (OPV), at Mari Naval Base. Onboard, Indian officials met officers and crew and received an operational briefing from the Cyprus Naval Command. According to the Indian High Commission in Cyprus, the visit provided 'an operational perspective on the day's discussions on maritime security, professional exchanges and closer naval cooperation between the two nations.'

Tribute at Makedonitissa Military Cemetery

Singh laid a wreath at the Makedonitissa Military Cemetery in Nicosia, honouring Greek and Cypriot servicemen who lost their lives defending Cyprus in 1974. He also signed the visitors' book at the cemetery. The Indian High Commission in Cyprus noted that India has 'consistently supported the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Cyprus,' invoking the legacy of General K.S. Thimayya, who commanded the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) and passed away on the island in 1965.

Strategic Context: Post-Presidential Visit Momentum

Singh's visit to Cyprus, scheduled from 12–13 October, follows the President of Cyprus's visit to India in May 2026, which the Indian Ministry of Defence has credited with giving fresh impetus to the India-Cyprus Strategic Partnership. The Ministry noted that the Defence Secretary's visit is 'expected to underscore the shared commitment to deepening and expanding bilateral engagement, particularly in the maritime domain.'

Notably, this engagement positions India and Cyprus as closer partners in the Eastern Mediterranean — a strategically significant waterway for Indian shipping lanes, energy security, and counter-piracy operations. This is a region where India has been incrementally expanding its naval footprint through port calls, bilateral exercises, and diplomatic outreach.

What Comes Next

With the 2026–2031 Defence Cooperation Roadmap now underpinning the engagement, both sides are expected to operationalise agreed frameworks around joint training and search-and-rescue protocols. Indian naval vessel port calls at Cypriot facilities could serve as an early, tangible deliverable of the bilateral roadmap in the months ahead.