Indian President Ram Nath Kovind’s visit to Cyprus is expected to further cement the relationship between the two Commonwealth countries.
The Indian President will visit Cyprus from September 2-4 and will hold talks with Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades on Monday.
A number of bilateral agreements will be signed between delegations of the two countries. President Kovind is the first Indian President to visit Cyprus for nine years. The last India President to visit Cyprus was Pratibha Patil, in 2009.
The High Commissioner of India Dr. R.K Raghavan the visit follows President Nicos Anastasiades’ visit to India last year.
“At least two former Presidents and two Prime Ministers of India have been to the island in the past. This frequency of such visits highlights the strength of the bond that unifies the two nations,” Raghavan told CNA.
He pointed out that there is so much that the two countries can learn from each other and this is especially in the context of a nearly identical past, in the sense, that both won their independence from British rule within a decade of each other.
“India’s Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi is a well-known name in Cyprus. There is actually a bust of him which adorns Parliament Square in Nicosia, on what is called the Nehru Street, after India’s first Prime Minister. There is also a street named after India’s former Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi, a street in Engomi on which the Indian High Commission is located,” the High Commissioner said.
During his visit, President Kovind will unveil the bust of one of India’s greatest poets, Rabindranath Tagore, a Noble Laureate, whose Gitanjali, is an immortal piece of literature, that is read all over the world.
This will be in the campus of University of Cyprus. India has also great respect for Cyprus’ first President Archbishop Makarios, in whose honour, a road in India’s capital New Delhi has been named.
“India’s unqualified support in favour of Cyprus to solve the problem it faces in the north of the island, is well known,” said Raghavan.
The High Commissioner said that a few MoUs are expected to be signed during President Kovind’s visit.
“President Kovind’s visit comes against the background of efforts made in both countries to promote a strong trade and business relationship. It is quite likely that these efforts will bear fruit in the years to come,” he said.
There are more than 6,000 Indian nationals in Cyprus, either for education or work.
“I am told that Cyprus is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for Indian students to pursue higher education. In the same manner, more and more Cypriots have been visiting India’s historic sites…This shows a strong affinity people-to-people,” he said.
The High Commissioner also said that he expects all Indians living in Cyprus to project themselves as India’s ambassadors and convey the message of love and mutual respect.
