Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, accompanied by High Commissioner Mr Manish, met Mr Khassim Diagne, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UNFICYP, and Force Commander Major General Mohammad Asadullah Minhazul Alam in Nicosia.

Discussions covered UNFICY’s mandate, India’s longstanding contribution to UN peacekeeping and continued support for the Mission’s work in Cyprus.

The exchange reaffirmed India’s commitment to UN peacekeeping, with the distinguished legacy of Indian peacekeepers in Cyprus providing a lasting foundation for this engagement.

British soldiers also serve with United Nations peacekeeping Forces in Cyprus (UNFICYP). There is no operational link between British soldiers serving in the SBAs and the British contingent of the United Nations Force in Cyprus.

These soldiers serve on Operation TOSCA, an unaccompanied six month UN tour of duty and are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the Buffer Zone that runs between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

The Command includes the capital Nicosia and soldiers wear UN (blue) berets.