New Delhi: On June 15, Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Cyprus. It marked the primary leg of his three-nation go to that features stops in Canada and Croatia. This journey is his first abroad engagement since Operation Sindoor. He left Nicosia this for Canada, which is ready to host him for the G7 Summit. The prime minister’s first cease, Cyprus, has drawn appreciable consideration resulting from its historic and strategic context.
The go to can be noteworthy for one more motive, which is not any Indian prime minister has visited Cyprus in over twenty years. The final two leaders to take action had been Indira Gandhi in 1982 and Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2002. With this go to, PM Modi turns into the third Indian chief to set foot on the island nation in an official capability.
Why Cyprus First?
The timing and placement of this go to are being intently noticed. Cyprus has had long-standing friction with Turkey. Lately, Ankara has proven rising help for Pakistan, particularly on points associated to Kashmir. This consists of diplomatic statements and army cooperation. Pakistan’s use of Turkish-origin drones in current incidents has solely added to these issues.
Cyprus, however, has constantly supported India’s stance on terrorism and Kashmir. After the April 22 Pahalgam terror assault that claimed 26 lives, Nicosia issued a robust condemnation and indicated it will increase issues about cross-border terrorism from Pakistan on the European Union (EU) stage.
Cyprus’s personal tensions with Turkey date again to 1974, when a Greek-backed coup in Nicosia led to a army intervention by Turkey. Whereas the southern a part of the island stays below the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus, the northern third declared itself the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus that’s recognised solely by Ankara.
This shared friction with Ankara creates a standard platform between New Delhi and Nicosia.
Strategic and Diplomatic Layers
Ministry of Exterior Affairs S. Jaishankar highlighted that Cyprus has constantly backed New Delhi in worldwide boards. This consists of help for India’s bid for a everlasting seat on the United Nations Safety Council (UNSC) and endorsement of the India-US civil nuclear deal in key world teams just like the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Worldwide Atomic Power Company.
In the meantime, Turkey has stood in opposition on a number of such issues and voiced public help for Pakistan at vital diplomatic moments. Throughout current flare-ups, Turkey’s protection exports have discovered their method into Pakistan’s tactical operations, together with drone-based surveillance and strikes.
PM Modi talked about that his go to is meant to thank associate international locations for standing by India’s efforts to counter terrorism. Cyprus has been a kind of nations.
Enterprise, Financial Collaboration
Cyprus presents greater than diplomatic alignment. It performs an essential function within the India-Center East-Europe Financial Hall (IMEC), a commerce and infrastructure route that connects South Asia with Europe through the Center East. The Cypriot President, throughout a current go to to Israel, highlighted the island’s place on this new financial imaginative and prescient.
There are already indicators of rising monetary cooperation. Eurobank, a significant monetary establishment in Cyprus, is planning to open an workplace in Mumbai. Cyprus can be seeking to act as a bridge for Indian corporations coming into the European market. The enterprise atmosphere in Cyprus, providing tax benefits, superior monetary providers and a robust delivery sector, makes it engaging for Indian corporations.
In the course of the Limassol enterprise roundtable, PM Modi spoke about increasing commerce ties. Agreements just like the one between the Cyprus Inventory Alternate and India’s Nationwide Inventory Alternate for cooperation in GIFT Metropolis, Gujarat, point out rising financial collaboration.
The EU Angle, Power Ties
Cyprus is ready to take over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026. This opens alternatives for India to construct stronger ties with Brussels via Nicosia. Talks between the 2 sides are anticipated to discover methods to maneuver ahead on the India-EU Free Commerce Settlement, which each side are aiming to conclude by late 2025.
The Japanese Mediterranean is rising as an power hotspot, particularly in pure fuel exploration. Cyprus is a key participant on this area. The area has additionally seen maritime disputes involving Turkey. For India, nearer ties with Cyprus supply potential partnerships in power exploration and a presence in a strategically delicate zone.
PM Modi’s go to to Cyprus goes past symbolic diplomacy. It displays a bigger plan, which is strengthening partnerships with international locations that align with India’s strategic, financial and safety pursuits. Additionally it is a sign of India’s broader outreach within the Japanese Mediterranean and the EU.