Indian PM Narendra Modi and the president of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides also announced plans for joint naval operations, a terrorism information-sharing mechanism and support for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.

The BJP on Monday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi receiving Cyprus' highest civilian honour as a "proud moment for India" and said no other PM in the country's history has ever commanded such a "decisive influence" on the global stage as him.

India's Modi is likely to discuss Cyrpus' potential role in the India-Middle East-Europe trade corridor — a venture seen as a counter to China's Belt and Road Initiative.