The High Commissioner of India to Cyprus, Mr. Manish, has called for a formal migration and mobility agreement with Cyprus to ensure legal, predictable pathways for Indian nationals while protecting their rights, amid a sharp increase in arrivals through student permits and temporary work arrangements. Speaking in a recent interview with the television station Alpha, Manish stressed that Indians in Cyprus arrive through official channels. “Whatever Indians you are seeing here, all of them are coming here legally,” he said. “They are not coming illegally. They are all coming here legally after permits, visas, work permits, student permit, which is given by your ministries and department, but the challenge is to have a framework agreement for legal and predictable migration.”&nbsp;He noted that numbers have doubled, with private colleges actively recruiting from India for foundation courses and other short programmes. Many of these institutions, sometimes described as operating from shopping malls or single rooms, have drawn scrutiny. Students enter on permits, often transition into the labour market in sectors such as construction, agriculture and delivery, and are permitted to work limited hours under existing rules. Manish observed that many perform cash work without formal contracts and receive wages far, far lower than the European workers, as employers seek non-EU labour to fill shortages at lower cost.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🎙️ 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗿. 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵’𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 
📺 AlphaNews | 📅 𝟭𝟴 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

🎥 PART 𝟮 | 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮–𝗖𝘆𝗽𝗿𝘂𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽: 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲-𝘁𝗼-𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗠𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽

A genuine strategic partnership must also address how Indian nationals living, working and studying in Cyprus are treated. High Commissioner Mr. Manish @ManishGIfs places their welfare at the centre of this discussion.

▪️ 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: High Commissioner stresses that Indians arrive through officially issued visas and permits, and outlines ongoing discussions on a migration and mobility agreement to establish predictable pathways for study and employment.

▪️ 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲: He raises concerns about so-called “strip mall colleges” and the use of student-visa arrangements to channel students into employment under potentially exploitative conditions.

▪️ 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: The interview highlights concerns about low wages, inadequate employment protections and vulnerability to intermediaries, particularly when students’ residence permits expire.

📰 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗨𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗨𝗘𝗗

📅 𝟭𝟵 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 · Simerini
Η Κύπρος έχει πολλά να κερδίσει από την Ινδία
“𝗖𝘆𝗽𝗿𝘂𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝘀 𝗠𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮” — Chris Michael

https://t.co/c51Hz6q70O

https://t.co/A2rH7RPHL0

Published the following day, the Greek-language commentary explicitly references Mr. Manish’s AlphaNews interview. It argues that Cyprus can benefit from closer economic, business, defence, technology and cultural ties with India, while stressing that the fair treatment of Indian workers must remain integral to that relationship.

📌 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲: Bilateral ties should be judged by both the opportunities they create and how citizens of each country are treated in the other.

▶️ 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟮.
#IndiaCyprus #IndianCommunity #WorkersRights 
@PIB_India @AlphaNews @DDNewslive @ANI @PTI_News @SecretaryCPVOIA&mdash; India 🇮🇳 in Republic of Cyprus 🇨🇾 (@IndiainCyprus) <a href="https://x.com/IndiainCyprus/status/2112488236664664195?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Under European Union rules, citizens of member states enjoy free movement and equal treatment in employment. Third-country nationals, including Indians, require specific visas or permits and can face different conditions regarding wages, social protections and working hours. While such distinctions are embedded in national and EU legislation designed to prioritise the domestic and European workforce, they can create practical disparities.&nbsp;Temporary or student-linked arrangements may leave individuals with incomplete coverage under employment standards, heightening risks of exploitation by intermediaries once permits expire and overstays occur. Manish expressed concern that large cohorts completing one-year foundation courses may not progress to degree programmes, leaving them vulnerable once student status ends. “Ultimately, for me as a High Commissioner, my core interest and concern is that the Indians who are coming here to live, work, study, their life, their rights has to be protected. We want a regulated migration,” he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;He described ongoing discussions with Cyprus’s Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection toward a draft agreement that would establish clearer legal pathways. The text was not finalised, but remains under consideration. Cyprus has benefited from Indian workers meeting genuine labour needs, while India has seen growing economic ties, including foreign direct investment routed through the island and expanding private-sector collaboration in technology and services.&nbsp;

India’s High Commissioner to Cyprus calls for a formal migration agreement to protect Indian students and workers, ensure legal pathways and curb exploitation

The High Commissioner of India to Cyprus, Mr. Manish, has called for a formal migration and mobility agreement with Cyprus to ensure legal, predictable pathways for Indian nationals while protecting their rights, amid a sharp increase in arrivals through student permits and temporary work arrangements. Speaking in a recent interview with the television station Alpha, Manish stressed that Indians in Cyprus arrive through official channels. “Whatever Indians you are seeing here, all of them are coming here legally,” he said. “They are not coming illegally. They are all coming here legally after permits, visas, work permits, student permit, which is given by your ministries and department, but the challenge is to have a framework agreement for legal and predictable migration.” He noted that numbers have doubled, with private colleges actively recruiting from India for foundation courses and other short programmes. Many of these institutions, sometimes described as operating from shopping malls or single rooms, have drawn scrutiny. Students enter on permits, often transition into the labour market in sectors such as construction, agriculture and delivery, and are permitted to work limited hours under existing rules. Manish observed that many perform cash work without formal contracts and receive wages far, far lower than the European workers, as employers seek non-EU labour to fill shortages at lower cost.

India urges Cyprus to sign a migration agreement to protect Indian students and workers, ensure legal migration pathways and prevent labour exploitation

India calls for formal migration agreement with Cyprus to protect Indian workers, students

Cypriot officials have strongly advocated for the accelerated development of the Mediterranean leg of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) during the visit of President Nikos Christodoulides to India, positioning the country as a key gateway for the ambitious connectivity project.Officials emphasised starting concrete work on the European end of the corridor, particularly involving Greece, Cyprus, and Italy as the primary entry points into Europe. “We agree that we need to start building the building blocks... We believe that we should start from the Mediterranean, like Greece, Cyprus, Italy and India,” a senior Cypriot official stated, underlining the strategic focus on the Mediterranean segment.The officials highlighted Cyprus’s unique geographic and maritime advantages to make the Mediterranean leg operational. They noted Cyprus’s role as a stable, reliable hub amid regional instability.“Cyprus can be a part of that... we can be the safe partner,” one official declared. They pointed to Cyprus’s significant maritime capabilities, revealing that Cypriot ship owners are already ordering vessels from Indian shipyards.During its current presidency of the EU Council that started in January, Cyprus has taken a proactive step by forming an IMEC working group within the European Union. “We decided and we formed the friends of the IMEC group within the European Union. It was a decision of Cyprus,” the officials stressed.The push comes as work on IMEC saw a setback after the October 7 attacks in Israel and subsequent conflicts in Gaza and Iran. Cypriot officials acknowledged the difficulties but called for immediate progress on the Mediterranean side.“Need to start building this very important corridor,” they noted. Officials stressed that the private sector must drive implementation while governments provide the political framework. “We are preparing the ground for when the time is right,” they added, advocating for infrastructure alliances, enhanced port and airport connectivity, and storage facilities.Cyprus’s ports, located just minutes from airports, were presented as ideal for efficient cargo handling and e-commerce distribution into Europe and West Asia. Cypriot leaders expressed confidence that focusing on the Mediterranean leg, leveraging strong India-Cyprus ties and Cyprus’s position as a trusted EU member, would provide a solid foundation for the entire corridor, creating a major secure alternative supply chain route.During the ongoing visit of the President, Cyprus has announced the opening of a trade office in Mumbai and plans to shoot a Bollywood film in Cyprus from June, signalling deepening cultural and economic ties. Both sides have agreed to double the trade ties in the next 5 years.

The officials highlighted Cyprus’s unique geographic and maritime advantages to make the Mediterranean leg operational. They noted Cyprus’s role as a stable, reliable hub amid regional instability.

Cypriot officials have strongly advocated for the accelerated development of the Mediterranean leg of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) during the visit of President Nikos Christodoulides to India, positioning the country as a key gateway for the ambitious connectivity project. Officials emphasised starting concrete work on the European end of the corridor, particularly involving Greece, Cyprus, and Italy as the primary entry points into Europe. “We agree that we need to start building the building blocks... We believe that we should start from the Mediterranean, like Greece, Cyprus, Italy and India,” a senior Cypriot official stated, underlining the strategic focus on the Mediterranean segment. The officials highlighted Cyprus’s unique geographic and maritime advantages to make the Mediterranean leg operational. They noted Cyprus’s role as a stable, reliable hub amid regional instability. “Cyprus can be a part of that... we can be the safe partner,” one official declared. They pointed to Cyprus’s significant maritime capabilities, revealing that Cypriot ship owners are already ordering vessels from Indian shipyards. During its current presidency of the EU Council that started in January, Cyprus has taken a proactive step by forming an IMEC working group within the European Union. “We decided and we formed the friends of the IMEC group within the European Union. It was a decision of Cyprus,” the officials stressed. The push comes as work on IMEC saw a setback after the October 7 attacks in Israel and subsequent conflicts in Gaza and Iran. Cypriot officials acknowledged the difficulties but called for immediate progress on the Mediterranean side. “Need to start building this very important corridor,” they noted. Officials stressed that the private sector must drive implementation while governments provide the political framework. “We are preparing the ground for when the time is right,” they added, advocating for infrastructure alliances, enhanced port and airport connectivity, and storage facilities. Cyprus’s ports, located just minutes from airports, were presented as ideal for efficient cargo handling and e-commerce distribution into Europe and West Asia. Cypriot leaders expressed confidence that focusing on the Mediterranean leg, leveraging strong India-Cyprus ties and Cyprus’s position as a trusted EU member, would provide a solid foundation for the entire corridor, creating a major secure alternative supply chain route. During the ongoing visit of the President, Cyprus has announced the opening of a trade office in Mumbai and plans to shoot a Bollywood film in Cyprus from June, signalling deepening cultural and economic ties. Both sides have agreed to double the trade ties in the next 5 years.

The officials highlighted Cyprus’s unique geographic and maritime advantages to make the Mediterranean leg operational. They noted Cyprus’s role as a stable, reliable hub amid regional instability.

During visit of President Christodoulides, Cypriot officials push on Mediterranean leg of IMEC

India has backed Cyprus and&nbsp;expressed its deep concern&nbsp;on a Turkey-backed move to open the ghost town of Varosha.&nbsp;

Varosha was once a popular resort town but was abandoned after the 1974 invasion of the&nbsp;Mediterranean&nbsp;island by Turkey.&nbsp;

The invasion led to the division of the&nbsp;country into the&nbsp;Republic of Cyprus and the northern Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which is recognised only by Ankara.

"This is an issue that the UNSC&nbsp; [United Nations Security Council] is seized off. We are deeply concerned at the recent unilateral announcements with regard to the status of&nbsp;Varosha.," said&nbsp;Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, in response to a question at weekly virtual press meet.

&nbsp; 
"We have always advocated peaceful resolution of this issue in accordance with the UN resolution. Unfortunately, the voice of the UNSC as reflected in its presidential statement of 9th Oct 2020 has not been adhered to. We have consistently supported the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity of the Republic of Cyprus," he added.

This is the second comment by India on the issue in the last 24 hours.&nbsp;On Wednesday, India's envoy to United Nations TS Tirumurti expressed deep concern on the issue when the matter came to UNSC.&nbsp;

At the UNSC meeting on the issue, Tirumurti&nbsp;expressed "deep concern" on the "unilateral steps on Varosha contrary to UNSC resolutions" and said that "Cypriot-led, Cypriot-owned process on ‘bi-zonal bi-communal federation’ should be the basis".

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
In <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNSC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UNSC</a> today on Cyprus &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/UN_CYPRUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UN_CYPRUS</a>, I said: 
🔆Deeply concerned on unilateral steps on Varosha contrary to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNSC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UNSC</a> resolutions 
🔆 Council’s Presidential Statement of Oct 2020 not adhered to 
🔆 Cypriot-led, Cypriot-owned process on ‘bi-zonal bi-communal federation’ should be basis
— PR/Amb T S Tirumurti (@ambtstirumurti) <a href="https://twitter.com/ambtstirumurti/status/1417891713310396418?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Cyprus had taken the matter of the UNSC over the reopening of the town by leadership in the north.&nbsp;India is a non-permanent member of the high table for a two-year term.

The move to reopen Varosha was announced by Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and was strongly criticised by the Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades.

New Delhi has joined the US, UK, EU who have also expressed concerns over the development.&nbsp;

Cyprus's foreign minister Nikos Christodoulides had spoken on the issue with the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell and US Secretary of state Antony Blinken and briefed about the developments.

Turkey-backed violation of UNSC resolutions on Cyprus comes even as Ankara in the past has been advising New Delhi on UNSC resolutions on Kashmir.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had&nbsp;commented in the backdrop of India removing special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019. This has been the main cause of the deterioration of ties between the two&nbsp;countries in the last two&nbsp;years.&nbsp;

India has backed Cyprus and expressed its deep concern on a Turkey-backed move to open the ghost town of Varosha. Varosha was once a popular resort town but was abandoned after the 1974 invasion of the Mediterranean island by Turkey.

India has backed Cyprus and expressed its deep concern on a Turkey-backed move to open the ghost town of Varosha. Varosha was once a popular resort town but was abandoned after the 1974 invasion of the Mediterranean island by Turkey. The invasion led to the division of the country into the Republic of Cyprus and the northern Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which is recognised only by Ankara. "This is an issue that the UNSC [United Nations Security Council] is seized off. We are deeply concerned at the recent unilateral announcements with regard to the status of Varosha.," said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, in response to a question at weekly virtual press meet. "We have always advocated peaceful resolution of this issue in accordance with the UN resolution. Unfortunately, the voice of the UNSC as reflected in its presidential statement of 9th Oct 2020 has not been adhered to. We have consistently supported the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity of the Republic of Cyprus," he added. This is the second comment by India on the issue in the last 24 hours. On Wednesday, India's envoy to United Nations TS Tirumurti expressed deep concern on the issue when the matter came to UNSC. At the UNSC meeting on the issue, Tirumurti expressed "deep concern" on the "unilateral steps on Varosha contrary to UNSC resolutions" and said that "Cypriot-led, Cypriot-owned process on ‘bi-zonal bi-communal federation’ should be the basis". In #UNSC today on Cyprus & @UN_CYPRUS, I said: 🔆Deeply concerned on unilateral steps on Varosha contrary to #UNSC resolutions 🔆 Council’s Presidential Statement of Oct 2020 not adhered to 🔆 Cypriot-led, Cypriot-owned process on ‘bi-zonal bi-communal federation’ should be basis — PR/Amb T S Tirumurti (@ambtstirumurti) July 21, 2021 × Cyprus had taken the matter of the UNSC over the reopening of the town by leadership in the north. India is a non-permanent member of the high table for a two-year term. The move to reopen Varosha was announced by Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and was strongly criticised by the Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades. New Delhi has joined the US, UK, EU who have also expressed concerns over the development. Cyprus's foreign minister Nikos Christodoulides had spoken on the issue with the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell and US Secretary of state Antony Blinken and briefed about the developments. Turkey-backed violation of UNSC resolutions on Cyprus comes even as Ankara in the past has been advising New Delhi on UNSC resolutions on Kashmir. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had commented in the backdrop of India removing special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019. This has been the main cause of the deterioration of ties between the two countries in the last two years.

India backs Cyprus on Varosha issue; calls Turkey-backed move 'concerning'

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India calls for formal migration agreement with Cyprus to protect Indian workers, students

During visit of President, Cypriot officials push on Mediterranean leg of IMEC

India backs Cyprus on Varosha issue; calls Turkey-backed move 'concerning'