Lieutenant General Emmanouel Theodorou, Chief of the National Guard,

Lieutenant General Neophytos Pachoulides, Deputy Chief of the National Guard

Major General Haris Georgiou, Chief of Staff

Air Vice Marshal Manish Vasantkumar Patil

Group Captain Perminder C. Antil

Distinguished officers of the Ministry of Defence and the National Guard

Colleagues from the High Commission of India

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. It is a privilege to be here today at the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus for the handing over of the BHISHM Cube to the National Guard of Cyprus.
2. On behalf of the Government and people of India, I have the honour to present this Made in India medical trauma system to the Republic of Cyprus through Lieutenant General Emmanouel Theodorou, Chief of the National Guard of the Republic of Cyprus.
3. The name BHISHM carries special meaning in Indian tradition. Bhishma is remembered for duty, wisdom and the protection of others. It is therefore fitting that a life-saving system bearing this name is being presented today to Cyprus, a country whose own history speaks of resilience, sovereignty and dialogue.
4. This ceremony is more than the transfer of equipment. It is the sharing of a capability. It is a gesture of friendship and a message of solidarity. Above all, it reaffirms that when it comes to protecting human life, India and Cyprus stand together.
5. The BHISHM Cube has been developed under India’s Aarogya Maitri initiative. Its purpose is clear: to bring timely, organised and effective medical care to people in moments of crisis.
6. In any disaster, conflict or mass casualty situation, the first hour can decide the fate of many lives. This is the importance of the “golden hour”. In a region such as the Eastern Mediterranean, where preparedness, mobility and rapid response are of growing importance, the BHISHM Cube is designed to bring critical care closer to those who need it most.
7. Compact, modular, portable and technology-enabled, the BHISHM Cube combines emergency medicines, trauma care supplies, diagnostic equipment and surgical support. The BHISHM App provides digital guidance, inventory information and instructional support to medical and paramedical personnel during deployment.Together, these features make the BHISHM Cube an integrated emergency response system, suitable for rapid deployment in challenging conditions, including earthquakes, floods, cyclones, landslides, conflict situations and other humanitarian emergencies.
8. For India, this initiative is rooted in our civilisational ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the world is one family. This philosophy finds expression in action. India’s partnerships today embrace trade, technology, investment and strategic dialogue, while also sharing capacities that save lives, build resilience and serve humanity.
9. The presentation of the BHISHM Cube to the National Guard of Cyprus is therefore a practical symbol of India’s approach to global partnership: responsible, reliable and human-centred.
10. Today’s ceremony comes at an important moment in India-Cyprus relations. The landmark visit of Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Cyprus in June 2025 set a new course for our bilateral engagement, which was further advanced during the State Visit of H.E. President Nikos Christodoulides to India from 20 to 23 May 2026, when our relationship was elevated to a Strategic Partnership.
11. This momentum has translated into stronger institutional, defence and security cooperation, including the Bilateral Defence Cooperation Programme signed in February 2026. The handing over of the BHISHM Cube adds a humanitarian and operational dimension to this growing partnership.
12. India values Cyprus as a trusted partner in the Eastern Mediterranean, with its own strategic perspective, institutional strength and commitment to dialogue, international law and peaceful engagement. The BHISHM Cube reflects the human dimension of our relationship: trust, preparedness and the readiness to stand together in moments that matter.
13. I am confident that the National Guard of Cyprus will make effective use of this system as part of its emergency preparedness and humanitarian response capabilities.
14. I convey my sincere gratitude to Lieutenant General Emmanouel Theodorou, Chief of the National Guard of the Republic of Cyprus, for receiving the BHISHM Cube on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus, and to the leadership of the National Guard, the Defence Wing of India, and all officers from both sides for their cooperation and efforts in taking this initiative forward and making this handover possible.
15. Today, as India presents the BHISHM Cube to Cyprus, we do so with friendship, respect and confidence in the future of our Strategic Partnership.

May this Cube strengthen the hands of those who save lives.

May it stand ready in moments of need.

May it remain a lasting symbol of India’s solidarity with Cyprus and of our shared commitment to humanity.

Thank you. Efkharisto. Jai Hind.

Long live India-Cyprus friendship.