Changing into the primary Indian Prime Minister to go to Cyprus in 23 years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the Mediterranean island nation Sunday the place he was greeted on the airport by President Nikos Christodoulides.
Touched by this “particular gesture” of welcoming him on the airport, Modi stated, “This go to will add vital momentum to India-Cyprus relations, particularly in areas like commerce, funding and extra.”
The 2 sides are anticipated to signal multi-level cooperation agreements when the 2 leaders meet Monday for talks.
Cyprus is the Prime Minister’s first cease on a three-nation tour that may even take him to Canada for the G7 assembly and Croatia within the Balkans. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the final Prime Minister to go to Cyprus in 2002.
Modi’s selection of Cyprus for his first international go to after Operation Sindoor is a sign to neighbouring Turkey which brazenly supported Pakistan through the current hostilities.
Cyprus, which has been engaged in territorial disputes with Turkey which invaded the island in 1974 and occupied its north, has constantly supported India’s place on Kashmir, cross-border terrorism and UN Safety Council reforms.
In addition to countering the Islamabad-Ankara alignment, the go to to the Mediterranean nation additionally comes at a time when Delhi is trying to construct bridges with Europe – Exterior Affairs Minister S Jaishankar simply concluded a six-day go to to France and Belgium.
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Cyprus is about to carry the rotating presidency of the EU Council in 2026, and this go to by the Prime Minister will work to deepen India-EU collaboration.
“Cyprus is a detailed pal and an necessary companion within the Mediterranean area and the EU. The go to gives a chance to construct upon the historic bonds and develop our ties within the areas of commerce, funding, safety, know-how and promote people-to-people exchanges,” Modi stated in a departure assertion Sunday morning.
He will probably be acquired on the Presidential Palace Monday and, in accordance with Euronews, may even be given a tour of the ceasefire line in Nicosia by the President himself. The go to to the Inexperienced Line, the UN-controlled buffer zone, if it occurs, will probably be a powerful message to Turkey on the North Cyprus difficulty. It will likely be a response to Turkey’s help to Pakistan on the Kashmir difficulty – Pakistan additionally backs Turkey on North Cyprus.
The official talks Monday between the 2 leaders may even contact upon the India-Center East-Europe Financial Hall (IMEC). Cyprus’s maritime connectivity and strategic location makes it a possible hub within the IMEC undertaking, which was mooted by India throughout its G20 Presidency in 2023.
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As India seeks to diversify its vitality sources, Cyprus being a key participant in jap Mediterranean pure fuel exploration turns into essential. In reality, sturdy India-Cyprus ties might assist India get broad-based EU help for its numerous world initiatives, in addition to the IMEC.
Locked in territorial disputes with Turkey and dealing with safety challenges, Cyprus is trying to develop defence cooperation and can welcome any help from India. Delhi can be aiming to consolidate worldwide help following Operation Sindoor, and the truth that Modi’s visit Cyprus precedes his departure for Canada and attendance on the G7 Summit can be telling.
“This three-nation tour can be a chance to thank companion nations for his or her steadfast help to India in our battle in opposition to cross-border terrorism, and to galvanise world understanding on tackling terrorism in all its kinds and manifestations,” Modi stated forward of his departure Sunday morning.
From Cyprus, he departs Monday for Kananaskis to attend the G7 Summit on the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
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“The Summit will present house for trade of views on urgent world points and the priorities of the International South. I additionally stay up for participating with leaders from companion nations,” Modi stated.
Whereas the agenda for the G7 huddle is focussed on constructing provide chains for important minerals, vitality safety and countering transnational crime, discussions may very well be on the raging Israel-Iran battle and containing escalation. Modi is prone to have discussions with numerous stakeholders on the difficulty and categorical India’s oft-repeated stance on dialogue and diplomacy as the way in which ahead.
The final leg of the Prime Minister’s three-nation journey will take him to Croatia, the place he’ll meet President Zoran Milanovic and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic. “Each our nations take pleasure in centuries-old shut cultural hyperlinks. As the primary go to by an Indian Prime Minister to Croatia, it would open new avenues for bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual curiosity,” Modi stated.