Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Cyprus, his first foreign stop after Operation Sindoor, carries strategic and diplomatic significance. Arriving on June 15 at the invitation of President Nicos Christodoulides, PM Modi was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III — Cyprus’s highest civilian honour — marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the island nation in over two decades.
This visit comes amid growing Turkey-Pakistan alignment and rising regional tensions. Cyprus, which has historically faced Turkish aggression, has stood by India on key issues including cross-border terrorism and Kashmir. Following the April 22 terror attacks, Cyprus vowed to raise the issue at the EU level — a stance in sharp contrast to Turkey’s open support for Pakistan.
During the bilateral talks, PM Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening cooperation in trade, energy, defence, and multilateral forums. He also addressed a business roundtable in Limassol, highlighting opportunities in shipping, fintech, and investment, and announced cooperation between Cyprus Stock Exchange and India’s NSE at GIFT City.
Cyprus’s strategic location along the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and its upcoming presidency of the EU Council in 2026 further enhance the partnership’s potential.
As India deepens engagement with Europe, PM Modi’s Cyprus visit not only revitalizes bilateral ties but also signals a clear message — rewarding allies that support India’s sovereignty and standing firm against state-sponsored terrorism.