India is playing a tight balancing act, hosting back to back visits of the presidents of Cyprus and Turkey. Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades wound up his visit of Mumbai and Delhi on Saturday, and on Sunday Turkish President Recep Tayyip Ergodan will be in Delhi with a 150 strong business delegation.
Economic growth is the driver for both these visits. India, in a joint statement with Cyprus, reiterated its support for the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of the Republic of Cyprus. India has always been critical of Turkey's annexation of a part of Cyprus. But beyond not changing its past position, India's interest in both countries is largely trade and economic ties.
India could possibly help develop the hi-tech sector in Cyprus, which the middle eastern country is hoping to develop as the third pillar of its economy. In the joint statement, the two countries have identified this as a possible area of cooperation, given India's capabilities in Information Technology, ITES and Biotechnology, while Cyprus' expertise in financial services and cooperation in knowledge based industry could also be possible areas of bilateral economic cooperation. Cyprus has a nine billion dollar investment in India, making it the eighth largest investor in the country.
Anastasiades, who came with a 60 member business delegation, also addressed the Indian chambers of commerce and industry.
With Turkey, the relation is tricky not just because of its existing hostility with Cyprus, but also because Turkey is close to Pakistan. “We are aware Turkey is close to Pakistan. That is their bilateral matter. Ours is a different equation,'' said Ruchi Ghanshyam, secretary west.
Though trade and business will be important points of engagement, India will have to get Turkey to support its membership into the Nuclear Suppliers Group. Turkey, while not against India's entry, has maintained that the NSG should first have a system to address the membership applications of countries which are not signatories to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Cyprus has extended their support to India's bid.
