Indian Council of World Affairs

H.E. Dr. Constantinos Kombos, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus,
Dr. S. Jaishankar, Hon’ble External Affairs Minister of India,
Ambassador Sibi George, Secretary (West)
Distinguished Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Academia, Media, Students, and Friends!

We are honoured to host His Excellency Dr. Constantinos Kombos, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cyprus for today’s 55^th Sapru House Lecture on ‘Cyprus and the World’. This Sapru House Lecture series at the Indian Council of World Affairs, India's oldest and leading foreign policy think tank, has previously featured several eminent personalities, including Heads of States and Governments, and Heads of international and regional organizations, and other personalities of eminence.

Hon’ble Dr. Constantinos Kombos has an eminent political background and a long career in Law. He holds a postgraduate degree in EU Law as well as a PhD in European Constitutional Law. He has served as Chairman of the Law Department and as member of the Senate of the University of Cyprus. He is a prolific author with his work having been translated in six languages.

He was appointed member of the Board of Judges by the Supreme Court. On behalf of the Republic of Cyprus he appeared before the Court of Justice of the European Union and has made recommendations to the House of Representatives on issues of EU Law and the Cyprus Constitution. He was appointed member of the Cyprus Problem negotiating team in 2014 and has participated in all stages and levels of the negotiation process, Geneva I, Crans-Montana, Geneva II.

He is serving as the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cyprus since March 2023. This is his first official visit to India as Foreign Minister of Cyprus, which is taking place within six months of the historic visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Cyprus in June 2025.

Friends, Cyprus’ worldview is indeed important. The island country is geostrategically located in the eastern Mediterranean Sea at the maritime crossroads of Europe, West Asia, and North Africa. Because of this, Cyprus is a melting point of cultures and civilizations.

Cyprus has historically been a vantage point in the military strategy of colonial powers and empires. The land of Cyprus has also historically been subjected to contestation among competing European & Asian interests; but since Independence it has carefully shaped its strategic autonomy which it looks forward to bolster amidst the current geopolitical shifts underway.

As the largest island in the Mediterranean, Cyprus is in a unique position in as far as maritime commerce, shipping routes, connectivity, strategic depth, and energy resources are concerned. India’s efforts to build closer ties with Cyprus stem from these as also to exploit opportunities for closer cooperation presented by a world order in transition. The effort to revive ancient Indo-Mediterranean connectivity and trading networks through the new avatar of India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and to draw mutual advantage from each other’s maritime strengths needs also to be seen in this context.

We are appreciative of the keen interest that the Hon’ble Foreign Minister has shown in further strengthening India-Cyprus ties. Since assuming charge as Foreign Minister, he has maintained regular dialogue with the External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar with meetings in person in Stockholm in 2023, in Doha in 2024 and in New York in 2023, 2024, and 2025 and through telephone conversations.

Cyprus is a valued EU member. It will hold the EU Presidency in the first half of 2026 and India looks forward to work with Cyprus towards advancing the India-EU strategic partnership.

Friends, India-Cyprus ties constitute a forward-looking partnership, rooted in a joint strategic vision and mutual trust and respect. We are eager to hear the Hon’ble Foreign Minister’s views on giving this partnership further impetus in the backdrop of the unprecedented geopolitical churn that the world is witnessing today.

I extend a very warm welcome to you, Your Excellency, and to all our guests present today.

    Thank you!