New Delhi [India], October 30 (ANI): Noting that India is a “global powerhouse” and “a mega trend,” Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said on Thursday that New Delhi is emerging as the leading voice in an increasingly multipolar world.
Delivering the 55th Sapru House Lecture in New Delhi, Kombos referred to rising geopolitical tensions and said the world is facing an era of uncertainty marked by populism and multiple global crises.
“India is a global powerhouse. This is a fact. India is a mega-trend. This is a fact. It has the richest of history and culture and potential that is unrivaled. This is a fact,” Kombos said.
“We are meeting here today in the midst of a polycrisis, one of the effects of which is making no exception as to their reach and impact. There is no insularity, no immunity. We all went through the global financial meltdown, the COVID crisis, the energy and inflation spike, and the war in Ukraine after Russia’s illegal invasion and continuing aggression. The overall questioning of the founding principles of the international order and system,” he added.
He also spoke about ongoing global conflicts and instability, noting, “The ongoing situation in Gaza is another challenge. The risks involved in Syria, the threat in the Red Sea, Iran’s nuclear aspirations, Sudan, Libya, and the African continent as a battlefield for influence and radicalization—all these underline the rise of radicalism, extremism, and terrorism as global realities. Migration is being instrumentalized, and as a consequence, populism is on the rise. But above all, there is uncertainty.”
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar was among those present at the lecture.
Kombos said that Cyprus strongly supports the conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the European Union and India.
“Cyprus strongly supports the conclusion of the long-negotiated FTA between the EU and India. The successful conclusion of this agreement will not only strengthen EU-India ties but also unlock immense economic opportunities for India and for all European countries,” he said.
He added that Cyprus views India as a natural partner and ally, emphasizing New Delhi’s growing global influence. “Cyprus has been described as the unsinkable aircraft carrier. We see India as a natural partner and ally. Today, with India emerging as the leading voice in an increasingly multipolar world, Cyprus sees India not only as an old friend but also as a partner for future cooperation,” he noted.
“Both nations, shaped by our legacy of colonial rule, have emerged as modern democracies that cherish freedom, the rule of law, and respect for international law,” he said.
Highlighting the potential for greater regional cooperation, Kombos mentioned the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as a transformative initiative. “A crucial platform and opportunity for cooperation is IMEC—a visionary proposal that can transform connectivity between regions. It’s a geopolitical tool with the potential to reshape global trade, trade routes, and critical economic activities. The Mediterranean region is geographically a key component for IMEC, and Cyprus is well-positioned to play its role in this emerging architecture,” he said.
Referring to Cyprus’s long-standing tensions with Turkey, Kombos said, “We have an aggressor, an invader, an occupier on our island. At the same time, that country is a well-sought-after ally and friend for many. So there is clearly a discrepancy between public international law and the realism, pragmatism, and cynicism of diplomatic activity.”
India has reiterated its unwavering support for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Cyprus and for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.
Kombos, who is on a three-day visit to India, also emphasized the importance of cooperation in the evolving global economic landscape. “Trade antagonism and tariffs are all elements of renewed reality,” he said. “But it’s also an impetus for opening up new trade routes and forming alliances. This is about ambition, vision, strategy, and action. India clearly has the vision and the action plan. And may I say, so does Cyprus.” (ANI)
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