Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos on Thursday expressed strong support for India’s zero-tolerance policy on terrorism, emphasizing that it must apply not only to perpetrators but also to those who support and finance extremist activities.
During his meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi, Kombos said, “We totally agree with the approach that there can be no other way of dealing with terrorism rather than zero tolerance, extending not only to the terrorists, but also to those who support and finance them.”
He also conveyed his gratitude to India for its principled stance on the Cyprus issue, underscoring the shared values and trust that define the bilateral partnership.
Kombos, on his first official visit to India—and the first by a Cypriot minister in 14 years—praised the hospitality extended by Jaishankar and noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to Cyprus earlier this year after 22 years marked a new phase in ties.
Highlighting the implementation of the India–Cyprus Joint Action Plan 2025–2029, Kombos said both nations are working to deepen cooperation in trade, technology, and defence.
As Cyprus prepares to assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Kombos reaffirmed that Nicosia will advocate for stronger India–EU relations, particularly the advancement of the long-pending Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
“This is a strategic choice for the EU, in the mutual interest of both sides,” he noted, adding that the partnership between India and Cyprus is rooted in deep historical ties and holds “a very long, bright future.”