India, Cyprus Hold First Joint Maritime Committee Meeting in Limassol

October 4, 2026

Nicosia: India and Cyprus held the first meeting of their Joint Maritime Committee (JMC) in Limassol, marking a significant milestone in bilateral maritime cooperation.

The meeting was co-chaired by Venkatesapathy S, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Theodoulos Mesimeris, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Shipping Deputy Ministry of Cyprus, the High Commission of India in Nicosia said on Saturday.

“The first India-Cyprus Joint Maritime Committee (JMC) met under the 2017 bilateral Agreement on Merchant Shipping,” the High Commission said in a post on X, describing the meeting as a new chapter in India-Cyprus maritime cooperation. The meeting was held on September 29.

India-Cyprus maritime cooperation discussed

The diplomatic delegation from New Delhi, which included India’s High Commissioner to Cyprus, Manish, along with officials from the Nicosia mission and Deependra Singh Bisena, Deputy Director General in the Directorate General of Maritime Administration, held extensive discussions with Cypriot authorities and industry leaders during a four-day visit from September 28 to October 1.

The talks covered maritime education and training, investment opportunities in both sectors, the exchange of policies and strategies as best practices, and cooperation on matters of mutual interest at the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Further strengthening institutional ties, the visiting delegation held structured interactions with the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, maritime enterprises, the Cyprus Ports Authority and the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute. The delegation also visited the Port of Limassol.

“Opportunities explored included maritime services, shipping finance, ship repair and recycling, seafarer training and welfare, and green shipping,” the High Commission said.

India, Cyprus plan maritime business forum

Looking ahead to upcoming bilateral exchanges, both sides reviewed logistical arrangements for the scheduled visit of the Cypriot Shipping Deputy Minister to India, accompanied by a high-level trade delegation.

The visit will take place ahead of a Maritime Business Forum scheduled to be held in Mumbai in November 2026, aimed at promoting joint ventures and capital investments.

“The meeting forms part of the India-Cyprus Joint Action Plan and reflects the shared commitment of Hon’ble Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi and H.E. President Mr Nikos Christodoulides to deepen bilateral cooperation,” the High Commission added.

The developments underline the continued strengthening of high-level diplomatic and economic engagement between India and Cyprus.