A Turkish social media outlet TRHaber has highlighted that India has agreed to sell military hardware to Cyprus under a 5-year defense roadmap. Recalling the 22 May 2026 Joint Statement on the State Visit of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, the media outlet has stated that Cyprus is “interested in some defense systems developed by the Indian defense industry” particularly “unmanned aerial vehicles and missile technologies” as also opportunities arising from the European Union's SAFE program for the defense industry” which could engender cooperation between “Indian and European defense companies to participate in joint projects,”

Triggered by the “potential cooperation”, a Turkish defense analyst Ardan Zenturk has put the cat among the pigeons with a caution that “If Greece & Cyprus get BrahMos, the entire military balance of power in the Eastern Mediterranean will radically change”. Similarly, another Turkish commentator Rauf Kose warned that “If the arms race in the region is going to turn into a conflict, it is better to initiate pre-emptive warfare at the appropriate moment than to fall victim to a night raid. Turkey must never make concessions in the Eastern Mediterranean,”

A Turkish diplomat has however attempted to set records straight that his country has “excellent relations with India” and “urged India to not be “resentful” of Ankara’s ties with Islamabad, but rather view ties with the Eurasian nation through a bilateral lens”. It is to be noted that relations between India and Turkey had deteriorated due “support for Pakistan during Operation Sindoor”; besides Turkey has been making inroads into India’s neighbours through military sales to Maldives, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and even Indonesia.

Be that as it may, the recent visit by Cyprus President H.E. Mr. Nikos Christodoulides to India from 20–23 May 2026 was significant from at least three perspectives. First, both sides have announced to elevate the bilateral relations from Comprehensive Partnership to a Strategic Partnership to being it in line with the “new realities and opportunities” arising on account of the ongoing war in West Asia-Persian Gulf and the related imbroglio associated with the Strait of Hormuz i.e. international law, the principles of the UN Charter and the 1982 UNCLOS, stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and the wider Middle East, multilateral initiatives such as the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, Mediterranean-Indian Ocean connectivity, to name a few.

Second, is about the “transformational potential” of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor’s (IMEEC) and its associated nodes and networks that can advance “global trade, connectivity and prosperity”. This multi-modal connectivity initiative (United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Israel, Italy and Greece), announced by Prime Minister Modi at New Delhi at the G20 Summit in September 2023, has gained seriousness in recent times notwithstanding the heavy bombardment of the Haifa port in Israel by Iran and Houthis in Yemen during the ongoing US-Israel and Iran war. The IMEEC may even consider the ‘Ben Gurion Canal’ project to connect the Mediterranean Sea (port of Ashdod) to the Red Sea (city of Eilat in the Gulf of Aqaba via the occupied Palestinian territories).

In fact it has been flagged  under the Joint India-EU Comprehensive Strategic Agenda (January 2026) and is seen as a tool for deepening collaboration to “diversify trade routes, reduce strategic dependencies, promote regional integration, and future-proof supply chains, including support to infrastructure development, maritime, rail, digital, and energy”. Another offshoot of the IMEEC is the “EU-Africa-India Digital Corridor” that envisages “Blue Raman submarine cable system to provide ultra-high-speed, secure, and diversified data connectivity resilient to disruptions caused by natural disasters or acts of sabotage”.

Third, is about Cyprus joining the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) which features under the “shared commitment to promoting a free, open, peaceful, prosperous and rules-based Indo-Pacific”. Being a maritime nation, Cyprus seeks to “demonstrate its ability to contribute to security, connectivity, and economic projects in the region”. This links up with the ‘Invest Cyprus’ event in Mumbai wherein Indian investors and business leaders discussed issues concerning “access to European and global markets” given that Cyprus is a “reliable European gateway for Indian companies”. On his part, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra offered Cyprus to “be “long-term collaborator in growth and progress” by “innovate[ing] with us, manufacture with us, and help shape new trade corridors, emerging technologies, and opportunities for the next generation”. The 2025 India–Greece–Cyprus (IGC) Business and Investment Council, an Indian initiative to deepen trilateral economic engagement focusing on “fostering innovation, boosting investment, and driving sustainable growth through strategic collaboration” has the potential to augment the IMEEC.

It is evident that after successes with the ‘Act East Policy’, India is exploring the Mediterranean Sea connectivity networks and defence projects. This can potentially link with the India Oman FTA which came into force on 01 June 2026.

Dr. Vijay Sakhuja is associated with the Kalinga International Foundation, New Delhi.