Prime Minister Narendra Modi made history on Sunday afternoon when he became the first Indian prime minister to visit the Mediterranean island nation in more than 20 years.
This visit, which takes place right before the G7 Summit in Canada, is seen as a major milestone in India’s increased outreach to European partners and highlights the strategic significance that New Delhi places on its relationship with Cyprus and the wider region.
Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides welcomed PM Modi with ceremonial honors upon his arrival at Larnaca International Airport, demonstrating the warmth and depth of the two countries’ relationship. President Christodoulides invited Modi to visit, and the trip is part of a larger three-nation tour that also includes a visit to Croatia and the G7 Summit in Canada.
Modi is expected to meet with President Christodoulides for high-level delegation discussions during his two-day visit. The agenda is broad, with a focus on strengthening people-to-people relationships, commerce, investment, IT and innovation, defense, shipping, and renewable energy.
Additionally, it is anticipated that both presidents would talk about regional and international concerns, such as maritime security and the changing circumstances in West Asia. It is anticipated that multi-level cooperation agreements would be signed during the visit, further solidifying the two nations’ ties.
Since they established diplomatic relations in 1962, India and Cyprus have a long and illustrious history together. Cyprus has been a dependable partner on international stages and has continuously backed India on important international issues, such as reforms to the UN Security Council and Kashmir. Modi’s visit is also interpreted as a diplomatic gesture towards Turkey, which has recently bolstered its relations with Pakistan and backed Islamabad amid the most recent fighting. Cyprus, which has been under Turkish rule in its northern region since 1974, has been a loyal ally of India, especially in opposing the Islamabad-Ankara alliance.
In addition to his formal engagements, PM Modi will speak to and connect with the Indian diaspora in Cyprus, a small but significant community that contributes significantly to the local business, healthcare, and education sectors. The Prime Minister’s visit has been met with tremendous excitement and pride by the Indian community, who regard it as a boost to their ties to their homeland and a recognition of their efforts.
Many regard this visit as a calculated step in India’s changing foreign policy, which aims to forge strong alliances with smaller but strategically important countries in the Mediterranean and Europe. Cyprus’ significance in India’s diplomatic calculations is further increased by the fact that it will take up the EU Council Presidency in the first half of 2026.
In the context of shifting regional alliances, Prime Minister Modi’s historic and multidimensional diplomatic visit to Cyprus aims to strengthen strategic, economic, and cultural connections while also delivering a strong geopolitical message. Ahead of important international discussions at the G7 Summit, the results of this visit are anticipated to strengthen India’s wider involvement with Europe and provide India-Cyprus relations a major boost.
