New Delhi, May 22 -- India and Cyprus on Friday agreed to elevate their bilateral Comprehensive Partnership to a Strategic Partnership, with a strong focus on expanding trade, investment and maritime cooperation, as both sides welcomed the conclusion of the historic India-EU Free Trade Agreement earlier this year.

The decisions were outlined in a Joint Statement issued during the State Visit of President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides to India, following his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The visit from May 20 to May 23, taking place during Cyprus' Presidency of the Council of the European Union, marks the transition of India-Cyprus relations into a "results-oriented and implementation-driven phase."

"Both Leaders emphasiz...