Be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Cyprus In 23 years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the Mediterranean Island country on Sunday, where he was congratulated at the airport by President Nicos Christodaulides.
Touched by this “special gesture” to welcome him at the airport, Modi said, “This journey will increase significant pace for India-sprous relations, especially in areas such as trade, investment and more.”
Both sides are expected to sign multi-level cooperation agreements when the two leaders meet for talks on Monday.
Cyprus is the first stop of the Prime Minister on a three-nation tour that will take him to G7 meeting in Balkan and Canada for Croatia. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the last Prime Minister to visit Cyprus in 2002.
Cyprus’s Modi’s choice for his first foreign trip after Operation Sindoor is an indication for neighboring Turkey which openly supported Pakistan during recent enmity.
Cyprus, who is engaged in regional disputes with Turkey, invaded the island in 1974 and captured its north, consistently supported India’s position on Kashmir, cross -border terrorism and United Nations Security Council reforms.
In addition to combating Islamabad-Angra alignment, the visit to the Mediterranean nation also comes when Delhi wants to build bridges with Europe-Answer Minister S. Jayashankar concluded the six-day visit to France and Belgium.
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Cyprus is ready to organize the Rotation of the European Union Council in 2026 to the presidency, and the Prime Minister’s visit will work to deepen the cooperation of the India-European Union.
Modi said in a departure statement on Sunday morning, “Cyprus is a close friend and an important partner in the Mediterranean region and the European Union. The journey provides an opportunity to build on historical bonds and expand our relations in the fields of business, investment, security, technology and promote people’s exchange from people.”
He will be obtained at the President’s Mahal on Monday and according to Euronues, even the President can visit the ceasefire line in Nicosia. Travel to the green line, un-controlled buffer zone, if this happens, will be a strong message to Türkiye on the Northern Cyprus issue. This will respond to Türkiye’s support to Pakistan on the Kashmir issue – Pakistan also supports Turkey on Northern Cyprus.
The official dialogue between the two leaders on Monday will also touch the Indo-Central East-European Economic Corridor (IMEC). Cyprus’ maritime connectivity and strategic location makes it a possible center in the IMEC project, which was looted by India during the G20 President in 2023.
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As India wants to diversify its energy sources, Cyprus becomes important as a prominent player in the eastern Mediterranean Natural Gas Explosion. In fact, strong India-sprus relations can help India get the support of wider-based European Union for its various global initiatives in addition to IMEC.
Cyprus wants to expand the defense cooperation with closed and security challenges in regional disputes with Turkey and welcome any assistance from India. The Delhi Operation is aiming to strengthen international support after vermilion, and the fact that Modi’s stay in Cyprus is before his departure for Canada and is also describing the presence of the G7 Summit.
Modi said in front of his departure on Sunday morning, “It is an opportunity to thank partner countries for crossing three-nation touring countries, which is for his firm support for India in our fight against cross-border terrorism, and to reduce global understanding to deal with terrorism in all its forms and expressions.”
From Cyprus, he departs on Monday for Kananskis to attend the G7 Summit on the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday.
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Modi said, “The summit will provide a place for exchange of ideas on suppressing global issues and global South priorities. I am also eager to join the leaders of the partner countries,” Modi said.
While the agenda for G7 HUDDLE focuses on the creation of important minerals, energy security and supply chains for transnational offenses, discussion can be discussed by Israel-Iron conflict and growth. Modi is likely to discuss the issue with various stakeholders and express India’s repeated stance on dialogue and diplomacy as ahead.
The final stage of the Prime Minister’s three-nation visit will take him to Croatia, where he will meet President Joran Milanovik and Prime Minister Andrez Plankovic. Modi said, “Both our countries enjoy centuries -old close cultural ties. As the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in Croatia, it will open new avenues for bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest.”
Canada (T) India-EU Cooperation (T) Indian Express
