Prime Minister's Visit to Cyprus
Purpose and Significance
Indian Prime Minister's visit to Cyprus on June 15, 2025, aims to strengthen bilateral relations between India and Cyprus, particularly in areas such as trade and investment. The visit is significant in the context of India's foreign policy, as it conveys a message to neighboring countries, especially Turkey, in light of regional tensions.
Diplomatic Engagements
- PM was warmly received by the President of Cyprus at the airport in Larnaca.
- During his visit, PM met with the resident Indian community in Cyprus, which has supported India's stance on the Kashmir issue and has shown solidarity following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.
- PM participated in a Cyprus-India Roundtable Discussion organized by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry to discuss further strengthening economic ties.
Geopolitical Context
The visit coincided with the Israel-Iran conflict, impacting flight routes. PM's aircraft had to reroute over the Arabian Sea, Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Egypt due to closed airspaces over Iran, Lebanon, and Israel.
Scheduled Events
- A ceremonial welcome for PM Modi is scheduled for June 16, 2025, where restricted and delegation-level talks will take place, followed by press statements.
- Following the Cyprus visit, PM Modi is set to travel to Calgary, Canada, to participate in the G-7 summit.