India and Cyprus held the first meeting of their Joint Maritime Committee in Limassol, marking a milestone in bilateral relations.

The meeting was held on September 29 under the 2017 bilateral Agreement on Merchant Shipping. It was co-chaired by Venkatesapathy S, Joint Secretary for International Cooperation in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Theodoulos Mesimeris, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Shipping Deputy Ministry of Cyprus.

The Indian delegation featured High Commissioner to Cyprus Manish and Deependra Singh Bisena, Deputy Director General in the Directorate General of Maritime Administration, across a four-day itinerary from September 28 to October 1.

The talks covered maritime education and training, investment opportunities in both sectors, exchange of policies and strategies as best practices, and cooperation on matters of mutual interest at the International Maritime Organization.

The delegation also held structured interactions with the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, premier maritime enterprises, the Cyprus Ports Authority and the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute, along with a site visit to the Port of Limassol.

"Opportunities explored included maritime services, shipping finance, ship repair and recycling, seafarer training and welfare, and green shipping," the High Commission stated. The Cypriot Shipping Deputy Minister is expected to visit India ahead of a Maritime Business Forum in Mumbai in November 2026.