Nicosia: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has landed in Cyprus for a two-day official visit, marking a pivotal moment in India-Cyprus relations. His arrival on June 15, just ahead of his scheduled trip to the G7 summit in Canada, has already drawn significant diplomatic attention. This marks the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Cyprus in over 20 years.
Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides welcomed Modi at the airport in a rare personal gesture, underlining the significance of the visit. President Christodoulides described the occasion as “historic,” noting that it opens a new era of bilateral cooperation.
Cyprus becomes the first foreign destination for Prime Minister Modi following the recently concluded Operation Sindoor. His itinerary in Nicosia includes high-level discussions on strengthening economic, strategic, and technological ties between the two countries. Talks are expected to explore collaborations in trade, investment, security frameworks, digital infrastructure, and innovation.
The Prime Minister’s visit comes in response to an invitation from President Christodoulides. Expressing optimism, Modi referred to Cyprus as a key partner for India in the Mediterranean, emphasizing that his visit is a deliberate step towards deepening ties and fostering mutual development.
Modi’s presence in Cyprus is not only symbolic of stronger bilateral ties but also reflects India’s evolving geopolitical priorities. Observers view the visit as a strategic signal to Turkey a country whose recent actions have strained its relations with India.
Turkey has adopted positions critical of India on sensitive issues such as Jammu and Kashmir and has publicly supported Pakistan’s stance. Additionally, Ankara has actively supplied military support to Islamabad, further complicating its relationship with New Delhi.
At the same time, Turkey’s ties with Cyprus remain deeply fractured. The northern part of Cyprus remains under the control of Turkish-backed separatists, a territory Ankara has unilaterally recognized as an independent state. This division has long been a source of regional tension.
India’s growing warmth towards Cyprus is therefore being interpreted as a subtle yet firm diplomatic message. By aligning with a nation that stands in opposition to Turkey’s expansionist policies, India appears to be reinforcing its commitment to like-minded global partners who respect sovereignty and peaceful coexistence.
As the two-day visit unfolds, the world watches closely. Modi’s outreach to Cyprus signals not only a rekindling of dormant relations but also India’s broader intention to assert itself more decisively on the world stage, especially in the Mediterranean theatre.