Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus could assume a strategic role in the development of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), according to academic Michalis Kontos, who said the island’s geopolitical position and EU membership are key advantages.
Cyprus’ role in IMEC
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), Kontos, an associate professor at the department of political science and governance at the University of Nicosia, said Cyprus is well placed to contribute to the corridor’s development. He said the country could play a significant role due to its geographical location and status as an EU member state.
India’s interest
Kontos said India’s growing global influence underpins its interest in the initiative, noting that it is the world’s most populous country and one of the largest economies. He added that India’s long-term growth potential is reinforced by broader global trends, including the decentralisation and diffusion of power in the international system.
Regional links
He said India has already launched initiatives across the Middle East and eastern Mediterranean, driven largely by its ambition to advance the IMEC project. Kontos added that Cyprus’ relations with countries strategically located along the corridor, such as Israel and Greece, can help create the diplomatic groundwork for its development.
Bilateral ties and challenges
His remarks come amid renewed attention on Cyprus-India relations, with recent developments pointing to deeper economic and strategic ties between the two countries. Kontos said Invest Cyprus has sought to strengthen investment cooperation, while broader political engagement suggests bilateral relations are entering a more dynamic phase.
He cautioned, however, that ongoing geopolitical instability poses a significant challenge to the corridor’s progress.
