The Headline
Modi's historic Cyprus visit renews strategic ties
Key Facts
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Cyprus to discuss the potential role of the island in linking India to Europe via the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), marking the first visit by an Indian PM in over 20 years.
- Modi and Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides emphasized the strategic importance of connecting India with Europe through Cyprus as part of the wider Middle East region.
- Modi highlighted India's rapid economic growth, noting India is the fifth-largest economy and on track to become the third largest, and emphasized India's leadership in digital transactions through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
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- Several MoUs were signed, including between NSE International Exchange GIFT City and Cyprus Stock Exchange, to boost financial cooperation and investment ties.2
- Modi called for deeper cooperation on trade, investment, education, regional security, combating terrorism, and praised the formation of the India–Cyprus–Greece Business and Investment Council.
+1 - Modi condemned ongoing regional conflicts in West Asia and Europe, stating 'this is not an era of war' and emphasizing resolution through dialogue.
- Modi was conferred the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III, Cyprus's highest civilian honour, which he dedicated to the 1.4 billion people of India as a symbol of strong India-Cyprus friendship.
- Modi's visit is viewed as a strategic move to counter the Turkey-Pakistan axis and leverage Cyprus's upcoming EU presidency in 2026 to deepen India-EU relations.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Cyprus on Sunday in a visit focused on the potential role the island could play in linking India to Europe via a trade corridor, officials said.
Reuters
Seen as a significant milestone in Indo-Cypriot relations, the visit is expected to open new avenues of cooperation and further deepen strategic, cultural, and economic ties between the two democracies.
Newsonair
Narendra Modi is expected to sign multi-level cooperation agreements between India and the Republic of Cyprus during his visit to the island on the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to the country in over two decades.
Euronews
This visit marks the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Cyprus in more than two decades, signaling a renewed focus on strengthening bilateral ties and strategic partnership.
Timesofindia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Monday conferred with the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III of Cyprus, the country's highest civilian honour.
Deccanherald
+1Cyprus will hold the rotating Presidency of the EU Council in 2026. PM Modi’s visit lays the groundwork for deeper collaboration on trade and security, while also potentially leveraging Cyprus’s upcoming EU leadership role to push for progress on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.
Indiatoday
Highlighting India’s rapid economic transformation in the last 11 years, Prime Minister noted that India, propelled by next-generation reforms, policy predictability, stable polity and Ease of Doing Business, has become the fastest growing major economy in the world.
Pmindia
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said he and Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides 'expressed concern' over the conflicts going on in West Asia and Europe, and they both consider that 'this is not an era of war'.
Deccanherald
+1Dedicating the award to the 1.4 billion people of India, Modi said it was an award to the trusted India-Cyprus friendship. "I am confident that in the time to come, our active partnership will touch new heights. Together, we will not only strengthen the progress of our two nations but also contribute towards building a peaceful and secure world," the prime minister said.
Livemint
A business roundtable event was held in Limassol, Cyprus, where PM Modi and President Nikos Christodoulides witnessed the signing of several MoU's.
Business-standard
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Key Stats at a Glance
Share of global digital transactions via UPI
50 per cent
