PM Modi reaches Cyprus, Turkey’s rival & EU chair next year, to deepen ties

Modi’s choice of Cyprus for his first foreign visit after Operation Sindoor is a signal to neighbouring Turkey which openly supported Pakistan during the recent hostilities.

Cyprus, which has been engaged in territorial disputes with Turkey which invaded the island in 1974 and occupied its north, has consistently supported India’s position on Kashmir, cross-border terrorism and UN Security Council reforms.

Besides countering the Islamabad-Ankara alignment, the visit to the Mediterranean nation also comes at a time when Delhi is looking to build bridges with Europe – External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar just concluded a six-day visit to France and Belgium.

Cyprus is set to hold the rotating presidency of the EU Council in 2026, and this visit by the Prime Minister will work to deepen India-EU collaboration.

“Cyprus is a close friend and an important partner in the Mediterranean region and the EU. The visit provides an opportunity to build upon the historical bonds and expand our ties in the areas of trade, investment, security, technology and promote people-to-people exchanges,” Modi said in a departure statement Sunday morning.

He will be received at the Presidential Palace Monday and, according to Euronews, might even be given a tour of the ceasefire line in Nicosia by the President himself. The visit to the Green Line, the UN-controlled buffer zone, if it happens, will be a strong message to Turkey on the North Cyprus issue. It will be a response to Turkey’s support to Pakistan on the Kashmir issue – Pakistan also backs Turkey on North Cyprus.

The official talks Monday between the two leaders will also touch upon the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). Cyprus’s maritime connectivity and strategic location makes it a potential hub in the IMEC project, which was mooted by India during its G20 Presidency in 2023.

As India seeks to diversify its energy sources, Cyprus being a key player in eastern Mediterranean natural gas exploration becomes crucial. In fact, strong India-Cyprus ties may help India get broad-based EU support for its various global initiatives, besides the IMEC.

Locked in territorial disputes with Turkey and facing security challenges, Cyprus is looking to expand defence cooperation and will welcome any assistance from India. Delhi is also aiming to consolidate international support following Operation Sindoor, and the fact that Modi’s stopover at Cyprus precedes his departure for Canada and attendance at the G7 Summit is also telling.

“This three-nation tour is also an opportunity to thank partner countries for their steadfast support to India in our fight against cross-border terrorism, and to galvanise global understanding on tackling terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” Modi said ahead of his departure Sunday morning.

From Cyprus, he departs Monday for Kananaskis to attend the G7 Summit at the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

“The Summit will provide space for exchange of views on pressing global issues and the priorities of the Global South. I also look forward to engaging with leaders from partner countries,” Modi said.

While the agenda for the G7 huddle is focussed on building supply chains for critical minerals, energy security and countering transnational crime, discussions could be on the raging Israel-Iran conflict and containing escalation. Modi is likely to have discussions with various stakeholders on the issue and express India’s oft-repeated stance on dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward.

The last leg of the Prime Minister’s three-nation trip will take him to Croatia, where he will meet President Zoran Milanovic and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic. “Both our countries enjoy centuries-old close cultural links. As the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Croatia, it will open new avenues for bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest,” Modi said.