Latest news with #Turkish-held
News18
16-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
Message To Erdogan? PM Modi Clicked With Cyprus President, Turkish-Controlled North In Backdrop
Last Updated: PM Modi toured the capital city of Nicosia, which too remains divided, and was photographed against the backdrop of the flag of the Turkish-controlled north India strongly backed Cyprus's 'independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity" during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit on Monday — a move widely seen as a clear message to Turkey, which claims part of the island nation. PM Modi toured the capital city of Nicosia, which too remains divided, and was photographed against the backdrop of the flag of the Turkish-controlled north — a moment analysts interpreted as a subtle but firm geopolitical signal. The gesture comes against the backdrop of Turkey's support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's repeated remarks on Kashmir, which India has strongly opposed. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded the island. The northern part of Cyprus is under Turkish control and is recognised only by Ankara as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The rest of the international community — including India — recognises the Republic of Cyprus and supports its sovereignty over the entire island. Why PM Modi's Cyprus Visit En Route To G7 Summit In Canada Is Strategically Significant | Explained What Is the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus? The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) refers to the self-declared state in the northern part of the island of Cyprus, which has been under Turkish control since 1974. This control followed a military intervention by Turkey in response to a coup in Cyprus that was backed by the Greek military junta. In 1983, the Turkish-held region unilaterally declared independence as the TRNC. However, the TRNC is recognized only by Turkey. No other country or international body — including the United Nations and the European Union — recognizes it as a sovereign state. The international community continues to view it as part of the Republic of Cyprus, which is considered the legitimate government of the entire island. The island remains divided along the Green Line, a UN-patrolled buffer zone that separates the Greek Cypriot-administered south from the Turkish-occupied north. Turkey is the only nation that recognizes the TRNC and provides it with financial, political, and military support. Ankara maintains a significant military presence in the north, and the TRNC is widely regarded as being politically and economically dependent on Turkey, often described as a Turkish-controlled entity. Why PM Modi's Visit to Cyprus Is a Strategic Signal to Turkey PM Modi's visit to Cyprus marks his first international trip since Operation Sindoor, dur ing which Turkey openly backed Pakistan—a move that did not go unnoticed in New Delhi. Notably, Cyprus is a neighbour and rival of Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean, adding geopolitical weight to the visit. This is only the third visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Cyprus, following Indira Gandhi in 1983 and Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2002. The timing is significant: India has grown increasingly wary of Turkey's diplomatic and military alignment with Pakistan, especially since the Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent Indian military response under Operation Sindoor. Turkey has been consistently critical of India on international platforms—particularly on Kashmir—and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has often sought to position himself as a pan-Islamic leader, challenging India's interests at global forums, including the United Nations. In response, India appears to be countering Turkey's regional ambitions by deepening its engagement with Turkey's traditional rivals—including Greece, Armenia, Egypt, and now Cyprus. These diplomatic overtures reflect a calibrated strategy by India to build alliances that isolate Ankara regionally and blunt its influence in South Asia and beyond.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cyprus court jails Hungarians brokering property sales in Turkish-held north
NICOSIA (Reuters) - A court in Cyprus sentenced two Hungarian nationals to prison on Friday for brokering sales of properties in the Turkish-held north of the island seized from fleeing Greek Cypriots in a 1974 war. The two women were convicted of advertising and finding buyers for coastal properties without the consent of the registered owners in the territory, which is a Turkish Cypriot state recognised only by Turkey. Friday's verdict, likely to draw the ire of Turkish Cypriots, highlights the complexity and sensitivity over territory in Cyprus, where thousands of people lost property and homes from internal displacement and a 1974 Turkish invasion triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup. Those properties have since been re-distributed, and bought and sold many times. The territory has recently seen a surge in high-end investment. Cyprus's Criminal Court passed down sentencing of 2.5 years and 15 months jail to the two women, the semi-official Cyprus News Agency (CNA) reported. They had pleaded guilty to a number of charges, and prosecutors suspended others. The court is based in the southern part of Cyprus run by its internationally recognised Greek Cypriot government. The women were arrested late last year after arriving in the south. Greek Cypriot authorities have increasingly pursued legal action against foreign nationals investing in disputed properties in north Cyprus in recent years, and the issue is known to have caused friction in attempts to relaunch peace talks. Two other cases are pending before the courts. (Writing by Michele Kambas; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
Straits Times
09-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Cyprus court jails Hungarians brokering property sales in Turkish-held north
NICOSIA - A court in Cyprus sentenced two Hungarian nationals to prison on Friday for brokering sales of properties in the Turkish-held north of the island seized from fleeing Greek Cypriots in a 1974 war. The two women were convicted of advertising and finding buyers for coastal properties without the consent of the registered owners in the territory, which is a Turkish Cypriot state recognised only by Turkey. Friday's verdict, likely to draw the ire of Turkish Cypriots, highlights the complexity and sensitivity over territory in Cyprus, where thousands of people lost property and homes from internal displacement and a 1974 Turkish invasion triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup. Those properties have since been re-distributed, and bought and sold many times. The territory has recently seen a surge in high-end investment. Cyprus's Criminal Court passed down sentencing of 2.5 years and 15 months jail to the two women, the semi-official Cyprus News Agency (CNA) reported. They had pleaded guilty to a number of charges, and prosecutors suspended others. The court is based in the southern part of Cyprus run by its internationally recognised Greek Cypriot government. The women were arrested late last year after arriving in the south. Greek Cypriot authorities have increasingly pursued legal action against foreign nationals investing in disputed properties in north Cyprus in recent years, and the issue is known to have caused friction in attempts to relaunch peace talks. Two other cases are pending before the courts. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
