PM MODI’s VISIT TO CYPRUS IS EXPECTED TO STRENGTHEN THE RELATIONS BETWEEN INDIA AND EUROPE

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the third Prime Minister of the country who left for Cyprus on 15 June at the invitation of President Nikos Christodoulides. On reaching Cyprus, he was warmly welcomed by the President. Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides broke protocol and received PM Modi at the airport. This is being considered a milestone in India-Cyprus relations.

 

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the hotel in Limassol, Cyprus, he was welcomed by the Indian community there. They welcomed the Prime Minister with slogans of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'. The Prime Minister met them and also talked to them.

 

He will be visiting Canada on 16-17 June and will attend the G7 summit. This will be the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Cyprus after Atal Bihar Vajpayee in 2002 and Indira Gandhi in 1983.

 

This visit of the Prime Minister will further strengthen the relations between India and Europe. This visit provides an opportunity to further strengthen historical ties and enhance our relations in the areas of trade, investment, security, and technology and promote people-to-people exchanges.

 

DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN INDIA AND CYPRUS

 

India and Cyprus have always had strong diplomatic relations, but such high-level visits have been rare. The last high-level exchange between the two countries took place in 2017 when the then-President of Cyprus visited India. Afterwards, President Ram Nath Kovind visited Cyprus in 2018, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in 2022.

 

Turkish President Recep Erdogan has shown solidarity with Pakistan. In such a situation, PM Modi's visit to Cyprus is very important. The dispute between Turkey and Cyprus is well known. Cyprus is a member of the European Union (EU). Cyprus will also preside over the European Union Council for the first six months of next year.

 

Work is underway to finalize the India-EU Free Trade Agreement. It is learned that the process of finalizing this document could be completed by the end of the year and it could be implemented during Cyprus' presidency.

 

Cyprus has supported India on the issue of terrorism and Kashmir. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Cyprus has supported India on many important issues. These include India's election to the UNSC, the Indo-US nuclear deal, NSG membership, and the 1998 nuclear tests.

 

MEETING WITH PRESIDENT NICOS CHRISTODOULIDES

Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides participated in a business roundtable here and addressed Cyprus business leaders and offered to strengthen economic ties in trade, investment, financial services, fintech, start-ups, innovation, AI, IT, logistics, defense, connectivity, shipping and mobility sectors. This bilateral dialogue reaffirms the shared commitment of the two countries to strengthen India's engagement with the European Union. PM Modi, accompanied by a large delegation of around 100 officials, is visiting Cyprus at the invitation of President Nicos Christodoulides.

Prime Minister noted that Cyprus was a significant economic partner for India, particularly in the Foreign Direct Investment sector, and welcomed the keen interest in Cyprus for new investments into the Indian economy. The business roundtable had given practical suggestions that would form the basis for a structured economic roadmap, ensuring long-term collaboration in trade, innovation, and strategic sectors. He welcomed the fact that many Indian companies see Cyprus as a gateway to Europe and a hub for IT services, financial management, and tourism.

GRAND CROSS OF THE ORDER OF MAKARIOS III

 

The PM Modi was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III, the highest civilian award by the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides. After receiving the honor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the people of Cyprus and said that this is not just an honor for Narendra Modi but for 140 crore Indians. This is an honor for their capabilities and aspirations. This is an honor for our culture, brotherhood, and the ideology of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. This award is a symbol of our unwavering commitment to peace, security, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and our people.

 

FOUR OBJECTIVE OF PM's VISIT

 

Participation in IMEC Corridor: Cyprus is part of the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC). This project will strengthen energy and trade relations from India to Europe. It includes UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and European Union countries. The US has also supported this initiative in response to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Meanwhile, Cyprus and Greece have jointly launched the 'Greece-India Business Council' this year.

 

Message to Turkey for supporting Pakistan: There has been a dispute going on between Turkey and Cyprus since 1974. Turkey had illegally occupied a part of Cyprus in 1974 and named it North Cyprus. It is constantly trying to get recognition for ‘North Cyprus’ in collaboration with Pakistan.

Pakistan also recently mentioned 'North Cyprus' on the Kashmir issue, which has angered the Cyprus government. Turkey had recently supported Pakistan during 'Operation Sindoor'. Modi's visit is being linked to this.

 

Cyprus helped in Operation Sukoon: Cyprus played an important role in evacuating Indians trapped there during the Lebanon war in 2006. The Indian Navy named it 'Operation Sukoon'. Similarly, it helped in evacuating Indians during the Libyan civil war in 2011. It was named 'Operation Safe Homecoming'.

 

With India on the Kashmir issue: Cyprus is going to preside over the Council of the European Union in 2026. Cyprus has always supported India on the Kashmir issue and has also promised to raise India's side in the EU against terrorism coming from POK. At the same time, India recognized Cyprus immediately after it gained independence in 1960. Diplomatic relations were established in 1962.

Cyprus has openly supported India's permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). At the same time, India has always supported the sovereignty of Cyprus and the reunification of the territory illegally occupied by Turkey at various international forums.

 

A BRIEF HISTORY OF CYPRUS

      

Cyprus is a Mediterranean island located south of Turkey, west of Syria, and northwest of Israel. Its capital is Nicosia. It is 300 km away from Egypt. Earlier, it was under British rule. It became independent on 16 August 1960. In 1974, the Turkish army invaded the island after a coup by Greek fighters. Cyprus was divided into two parts in 1974.

Turkey took control of the famous city of Varosha in Cyprus. This city with multi-storey buildings which was once full of tourists has been deserted for the last 51 years. Turkey has deployed 35 thousand soldiers of its army in this area. The United Nations has been trying to integrate this island for a long time. But till now the UN has not had any significant success.

India has been calling for compliance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions on Cyprus, including the withdrawal of foreign troops from Cyprus. Apart from this, India has also condemned Turkey's actions in Northern Cyprus on several occasions.

 

INDIAN YOGA AND AYURVEDA ARE VERY POPULAR IN CYPRUS

 

In the last 10 years, the number of Indians living in Cyprus has increased 4 times. According to Manish, the High Commissioner of India in Cyprus, the number of Indians living here at present is about 11,500. Indians living there work in all sectors, but two sectors are more important - shipping and IT. There is a lot of respect for India and Indians here. India's yoga and Ayurveda are also very popular here. Many Indian youth are working as yoga teachers here. Indian culture is very popular here.

PM Modi has also been promoting Ayurveda and Yoga for many years. His visit to Cyprus will increase awareness about Yoga and Ayurveda and more people will join Yoga. Yoga and Ayurveda bring a lot of balance in life. People there feel inspired and encouraged by Yoga and Ayurveda.

WHAT DO THE EXPERTS THINK?

 

However, experts are looking at PM Modi's Cyprus visit beyond Turkey. Experts say that PM Modi's Cyprus visit is also related to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). It is being seen as a response to Turkey-Pakistan relations.

Geopolitical expert Pranay Chatterjee wrote on the social media platform X, "PM Modi will visit Cyprus amid Turkey's support to Pakistan. Cyprus is a country that has a long history of conflict with Turkey. It has shown strong support for India." 

But Samuel Ramani says that PM Modi's Cyprus visit cannot be seen only from the point of view of tense relations with Turkey. It can extend to Israel-Cyprus-Greece trilateral cooperation. Cyprus and Israel can also provide electricity for the cables laid under the sea for IMEC. Experts believe that this visit of PM Modi has hit four targets.