65 Years of Friendship: India and Cyprus Plan Cultural Exchanges for 2027

Last updated: 9 October 2026

Mark the date: on 10 February 2027, India and Cyprus will have been diplomatic partners for 65 years. And the way the two countries want to celebrate says a lot about the friendship: with music, dance, film and shared heritage.

What was discussed this week

On Wednesday 7 October, India's High Commissioner to Cyprus, Mr Manish, called on Cyprus's Deputy Minister of Culture, Dr Clea Hadjistephanou Papaellina. The goal was to move the two countries' Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Cooperation off the page and into practice, with actual exchanges and long-term links between institutions.

That memorandum, valid from 2026 to 2030, was one of the deals signed in New Delhi on 22 May during President Nikos Christodoulides' state visit, the same visit at which the two countries raised their relationship to a strategic partnership. The areas now on the table include:

• Cinema and the performing arts
• Exhibitions and craft traditions
• Archaeology, museums and heritage protection
• Stronger ties between arts organisations, artists and creative people in India and Cyprus

The two also traded ideas for marking the 65th anniversary, which the High Commission sees as a chance both to honour an old friendship and to open fresh doors for culture. Celebrating the milestone together had already been agreed by President Christodoulides and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May.

Mr Manish sees Indians living in Cyprus as important partners in sharing culture, reaching people well outside formal diplomatic settings. He held up Namaste Cyprus 2026 as proof: when the community organises events and brings in local talent and partners from Cyprus, ordinary people in both countries grow closer. The Deputy Minister has seen Indian culture up close, too: she was chief guest at Rhythms of Rajasthan.

Trade, travel and two agreements for workers

In a separate meeting reported on Thursday 8 October, the High Commissioner and Irene Piki, Deputy Minister to the President, took stock of progress since the state visit. Trade and investment, shipping, technology, tourism and travel links were all on the agenda, along with sending Cypriot business delegations to major business events in India. Consular matters came up too, as did work to finalise a Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement and a Social Security Agreement.

What this means for you

• More Indian culture on Cypriot stages: expect more dance, music, film and exhibitions in 2027, building on shows like Rhythms of Rajasthan and the India–Cyprus musical evening at Larnaka Castle.
• A role for community groups: because the High Commission sees the Indian community as a partner in this, associations, dance schools, musicians and artists in Cyprus may get the chance to take part. If you run one, it's a good time to introduce yourself to the High Commission of India in Nicosia.
• For workers and families: the mobility and social security agreements are not finished yet, and no details have been published. Once signed, they could matter to Indians working in Cyprus, and we'll report on them when there is news.
• Film fans: cinema is on the list, and Bollywood has already started discovering the island as a filming location.

Sixty-five years is a long friendship, and 2027 looks set to celebrate it properly. We'll update this post as events and dates are announced. Planning a cultural event for 2027? Tell us about it.

Read also: From Mumbai to New Delhi: What the Cyprus President's India Visit Means for Us

Sources: Cyprus Mail, Kiprinform, The Hans India (IANS), Ministry of External Affairs, High Commission of India in Cyprus (Facebook)