India has consistently supported the territorial integrity and unity of the Republic of Cyprus

Expressing deep concern over the transfer of part of Varosha, an abandoned coastal town on the divided Mediterranean Island, to Turkish Cypriot control, India on Thursday said that it has always advocated a peaceful resolution of the issue in accordance with the UN resolutions.

“Look this is an issue that the UN Security Council is seized of. We are deeply concerned over the unilateral announcements with regards to the status of Varosha,” said Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Arindam Bagchi on Thursday.

“We have always advocated a peaceful resolution of the issue in accordance with the UN resolutions,” Bagchi stated.

“Unfortunately the voice of the UN Security Council as reflected in its Presidential Statement of 9 October, 2020 has not been adhered to,” he said.

“We have consistently supported the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of the Republic of Cyprus,” the MEA Spokesperson informed.

New Delhi’s comments came in response to Cyprus’s appeal to the UN Security Council on Wednesday over plans by Turkish Cypriot authorities to partially reopen an abandoned resort. Meanwhile, Turkey repeated has its call for a two-state solution on the island despite international criticism.

In a statement, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on all parties to refrain from unilateral actions that provoke tensions and may compromise the ongoing efforts to seek common ground between the parties towards a lasting settlement of the Cyprus issue.