Indo-Cyprus Joint Issue

Relations between India and Cyprus have traditionally been close, friendly, and cooperative. India has consistently supported the sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, and democratic choices of the people of Cyprus. Over the years, the two countries have strengthened their partnership through diplomatic engagement, cultural exchange, and cooperation in various sectors.

Diplomatic Engagement and High-Level Visits

Bilateral relations between India and Cyprus have been reinforced through regular high-level visits and diplomatic exchanges. Several Presidents of Cyprus have visited India, including:

• Makarios III in 1962
• Spyros Kyprianou in 1982, 1983, and 1984
• George Vassiliou in 1989
• Glafcos Clerides in 1997

From the Indian side, notable visits include:

• Varahagiri Venkata Giri in 1972
• Ramaswamy Venkataraman in 1988

The historic visit of Indira Gandhi to Cyprus in September 1983 marked a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral ties. Later, Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited Cyprus in October 2002, further enhancing cooperation between the two nations.

Bilateral Agreements

During the 2002 visit, five important agreements were signed between India and Cyprus in the following areas:

• Health
• Post and Telecommunications
• Science and Technology
• Information Technology
• Cultural Exchange Programme

These agreements helped expand cooperation and deepen mutual understanding between the two countries.

Joint Philatelic Initiative

To celebrate their strong diplomatic relationship, the postal administrations of both countries launched a joint philatelic issue of commemorative postage stamps. The stamps highlight the rich cultural traditions of India and Cyprus, focusing on folk dance as the theme of the collection.

Folk Dance in Cyprus

Cyprus has a remarkable variety of traditional dance melodies. Researchers have recorded more than 70 types of dances, including the well-known “Syrto” and “Zeimbekiko”.

One of the dances depicted on the Cypriot stamp is “The Pitcher”, known locally as “Kouza” or “Stamna.” In earlier times, villages depended on a public spring called “Vrisi” for water. Young women would visit the spring to fill their pitchers, often meeting the young men they loved. These romantic encounters inspired the dance “The Pitcher,” which captures the charm of village life and youthful affection.

Nati – The Folk Dance of Himachal Pradesh

The Indian stamp illustrates Nati, a famous folk dance from Himachal Pradesh in India. The name “Nati” is derived from the Sanskrit words Natya and Nritya, meaning dance and dramatic performance.

Nati is a community dance performed during festivals, weddings, and celebrations. Unlike classical dance forms, it has no rigid rules, allowing performers to introduce variations according to local traditions and talent. People of all ages—men, women, young, and old—participate together, making it a joyful and inclusive cultural expression.

Over time, several regional variations of Nati have developed, including:

• Banthra
• Luddi
• Dhilli Nati
• Dohari Nati
• Pheti Nati
• Buhahari Nati
• Bahndu Nati
• Kartha
• Lahauli
• Bakhali
• Phagli
• Kharait
• Garbi
• Devkhel
• Tson Nati

Each variation features unique hill melodies and traditional orchestral accompaniment.

Celebrating Cultural Friendship

Through this joint issue of commemorative stamps, India Post celebrates the strong diplomatic ties, cultural heritage, and enduring friendship between India and Cyprus. The stamps symbolize not only political cooperation but also the deep cultural connections shared by the two nations.