'A message to Turkey': Why PM Modi's trip to Cyprus is significant; 7 points
PM Modi's trip, the first abroad since the recent Pakistan crisis, is seen as particularly meaningful in this context.
PM Modi is visiting Cyprus at the invitation of President Nicos Christodoulides and is being accompanied by a large delegation of around 100 officials.
His stop in Cyprus is part of a three-nation tour that includes Canada for the G-7 Summit, and the first-ever visit to Croatia by an Indian Prime Minister.
The Cyprus visit is significant for multiple strategic, diplomatic, economic, and geopolitical reasons, reflecting the growing importance of Cyprus in India's broader regional and global outlook.
Here are 7 key points explaining the significance of the visit:
First visit by an Indian PM in over 20 years
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.
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Despite historical ties between the two countries, visits by Indian Prime Ministers have been rare.
Only two such visits to Cyprus have taken place in the past 40 years, by Indira Gandhi in 1982 and Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2002.
Signal to Turkey
The visit is seen as a calculated move to counter the growing Turkey-Pakistan axis, especially since Turkey has deepened ties with Pakistan, including support during India's Operation Sindoor.
Cyprus has a long-standing conflict with Turkey, stemming from the 1974 Turkish invasion and the ongoing division of the island. Turkey's recognition only of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) contrasts with Cyprus's EU membership and its Western alliances.
By visiting Cyprus and potentially touring the UN-controlled buffer zone (Green Line), PM Modi is sending a clear message of solidarity with Cyprus against Turkish expansionism.
This counters the growing Turkey-Pakistan axis and supports India's broader strategy to isolate Pakistan diplomatically. Cyprus's firm backing of India's positions on Kashmir, terrorism, and UNSC reforms further cements this alignment. The visit thus strengthens India's Mediterranean strategy by aligning with a key regional player opposed to Turkey's assertiveness.
India has expressed concerns over Turkey's position and actions during the conflict, which led to a public backlash and boycott of Turkish goods in India.
Cyprus, in contrast, has backed India on the issue of terrorism.
After the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Cyprus condemned the act and said it would raise the issue of cross-border terrorism by Pakistan at the European Union level.
Cyprus as a gateway to the Mediterranean and Europe
Cyprus's location in the eastern Mediterranean, close to Turkey and Syria, and its status as an EU member despite being geographically in Asia, make it strategically important for India's Mediterranean outreach and connectivity with Europe.
One of the biggest banks in Cyprus, Eurobank, has recently announced that it is opening a representative office in Mumbai to help make Cyprus a gateway for Indian businesses entering the European Union and promote the interconnection of capital and businesses between Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.
The island's advanced financial services sector, favorable tax regime, and established shipping industry make it an ideal hub for Indian companies seeking to access European markets.
India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor
Cyprus forms part of the energy corridor that will connect India with Europe and strengthen East-West connectivity through the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC).
PM Modi's visit aims to anchor Cyprus more firmly in this strategic economic corridor.
Enhanced India-EU relations via Cyprus
With Cyprus set to hold the rotating presidency of the EU Council in 2026, PM Modi's visit helps pave the way for deeper India-EU collaboration on trade, security, and global governance issues, leveraging Cyprus's influence within the EU.
Moreover, the visit aligns with India's broader push for a free trade agreement (FTA) with the EU by the end of 2025. Cyprus, as an EU member, can play a pivotal role in advocating for India's interests within the bloc.
Economic and investment ties
Cyprus is a significant source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in India, supported by the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) between the two countries.
During the visit, PM Modi addressed a business roundtable in Limassol, emphasising India's commitment to deepening economic ties.
He highlighted India's economic trajectory, projecting that it will soon become the world's third-largest economy, and invited Cypriot businesses to invest in sectors like innovation, energy, technology, and digital infrastructure.
Energy security and natural gas exploration
Cyprus is a key player in Eastern Mediterranean natural gas exploration, an area of regional tension due to Turkish drilling. India's interest in diversifying its energy sources makes Cyprus strategically important for potential energy partnerships.
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