Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Cyprus on June 15, 2025, during his journey to the G7 Summit in Canada. This visit aims to strengthen India’s ties with Cyprus amidst rising tensions with Turkey and Pakistan. Cyprus has historically supported India on crucial issues, including counter-terrorism and UNSC reforms. Modi’s visit is strategically positioned to enhance India-EU relations, especially with Cyprus’s upcoming EU Council presidency.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Cyprus on June 15, 2025, as a significant stop on his way to the G7 Summit in Canada. This marks only the third visit by an Indian prime minister to this Mediterranean island. This visit comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly with a growing alliance between Turkey and Pakistan following India’s Operation Sindoor. Modi’s trip signals India’s commitment to strengthening ties with Cyprus, which has historically supported India on various issues, including terrorism and reforms in the United Nations Security Council.
Relations between India and Turkey have seen better days. Ankara’s consistent support for Pakistan, especially regarding the Kashmir issue, has led to strained ties. Furthermore, Turkey has provided assistance during Operation Sindoor, which aimed to neutralize terror bases inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after a violent attack in Pahalgam. Modi’s upcoming visit signals India’s strategy to bolster partnerships with nations that have opposing stances to Turkey, reinforcing that India can strategically align with Turkey’s adversaries to counter its influence in the region.
Cyprus has openly condemned terrorism linked to Pakistan and has brought up the Pahalgam attack in various EU discussions. This positions Cyprus as a significant ally in India’s fight against cross-border terrorism. By supporting each other on this front, India and Cyprus strengthen their collective narrative on the international stage, especially following the success of Operation Sindoor which reportedly eliminated over 100 terrorists and showcased Pakistan’s shortcomings in combating terrorism.
As Cyprus gears up to take over the rotating presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2026, Modi’s visit is perfectly timed for enhancing India-EU relations. Cyprus has supported India in gaining a permanent seat on the UNSC, as well as its inclusion in the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the International Atomic Energy Agency. In return, India backs Cyprus’s calls for resolving its territorial disputes with Turkey in line with UNSC resolutions.
The groundwork for deepening defense and technological collaborations is already underway, with both nations interested in maritime security and counter-terrorism efforts. The discussions between Modi and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides are likely to delve into defense cooperation, including possibilities for joint military exercises and technology exchanges. This could significantly reinforce bilateral partnerships in these critical areas.
A vital topic on the agenda will be the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor mentioned during the 2023 G20 Summit. This corridor aims to connect India with Europe through various infrastructure projects, essentially competing with China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Given Cyprus’s strategic placement in the eastern Mediterranean, it could play a crucial role in several IMEC projects, fostering trade and connectivity between India and Europe, which Modi likely will discuss during his visit.
Modi’s trip to Cyprus, along with a follow-up visit to Croatia, reflects India’s careful foreign policy approach. This strategy involves engaging with both regional allies and global partners to counter adversarial alliances. Strengthening ties with Cyprus counterbalances Turkey’s support for Pakistan while also aligning with Greece and Armenia, nations with their own tensions with Turkey. For example, Greece’s request for operational data from Operation Sindoor demonstrates how India’s defense ties with Greece are evolving alongside Cyprus’s interests, subtly creating pressure on Turkey.
The long-standing Cyprus-Turkey conflict has its roots in ethnic divisions. The island’s mix of Greek and Turkish Cypriots intertwines history with current geopolitical interests. Since gaining independence from Britain in 1960, ethnic clashes have persisted, worsened by Turkey’s military intervention following a Greek-inspired coup in 1974. Today, Cyprus is still divided, with a Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus established but recognized only by Turkey.
Cyprus’s ongoing struggle for reunification under UN guidelines is challenged by Turkey’s insistence on a two-state solution, complicating international relations and EU accession discussions for Turkey. Notably, while Pakistan supports Turkey’s stance on the Cyprus issue, it remains silent regarding UNSC resolutions on this topic, reinforcing the Turkey-Pakistan partnership that India seeks to mitigate through alliances like that with Cyprus.
Ultimately, Modi’s visit to Cyprus serves multiple purposes: reaffirming India’s commitment to countering terrorism, fostering strategic partnerships, and expanding its influence in Europe. By aligning with Cyprus, both nations can enhance their respective positions in a complex geopolitical landscape.
Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming trip to Cyprus is a strategic move amidst complex geopolitical tensions involving Turkey and Pakistan. The visit highlights India’s intent to strengthen ties with a country that supports its stance on global issues, particularly terrorism. As Cyprus prepares for its EU Council presidency, this visit could further solidify India-EU relations and promote collaborative efforts in defense and economic initiatives through the IMEC project. Overall, this diplomatic engagement not only counters Turkey’s influence but also fosters a mutual understanding against common threats.
Original Source: resonantnews.com
