New Delhi : A Parliamentary Delegation from Cyprus, led by H.E. Ms. Annita Demetriou, President of the House of Representatives, met Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla today at Parliament House. The meeting highlighted the longstanding friendship between India and Cyprus and reinforced their shared commitment to deepening democratic cooperation and parliamentary diplomacy.
Welcoming the delegation, Shri Birla noted that India and Cyprus enjoy warm, decades-long relations rooted in shared democratic values, mutual trust, and close cooperation on global platforms. He recalled that Cyprus had recently conferred its highest civilian honour — the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III — on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, reflecting the strength of bilateral ties.
He observed that both countries share a rich legacy of parliamentary democracy, which provides a strong basis for future collaboration. Shri Birla added that the Cypriot delegation’s visit — the first in three decades — would inject new momentum into the partnership, opening opportunities for cooperation in governance, technology-driven legislative processes, and institutional capacity building.
The Cypriot delegation expressed appreciation for India’s support on international issues and endorsed India’s position of zero tolerance toward terrorism. They also acknowledged India’s constructive role in promoting peace and stability in Cyprus. Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in parliamentary training, capacity building, research exchange, and people-to-people engagement.
Shri Birla briefed the delegation on the functioning of the Indian Parliament, the role of Parliamentary Committees, and India’s initiatives to integrate technology into legislative processes — including the use of Artificial Intelligence and the Digital Sansad platform, which have improved transparency, efficiency, and multilingual access.
Referring to Constitution Day observed on 26 November, the Speaker emphasized that the Indian Constitution remains a cornerstone of social justice, economic empowerment, and inclusive development, guiding the nation’s democratic journey.
The visiting dignitaries praised the architectural excellence, technological advancements, and cultural richness of India’s new Parliament House.
The visit — taking place after 30 years — marks an important milestone in India–Cyprus relations, with the constructive dialogue laying the groundwork for sustained cooperation and stronger ties built on historic friendship and mutual trust.