Modi Begins Historic Cyprus Visit Ahead of G7 Summit in Canada
| 2025-06-15
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin a three-nation tour to Cyprus, Canada, and Croatia on June 15, 2025—his first overseas visit since the Operation Sindoor strikes on Pakistan.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Cyprus for the first time in 20 years before attending the G7 Summit in Canada and visiting Croatia on return.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Cyprus on Sunday at the start of a multi-country diplomatic tour that will take him to Canada and Croatia. The visit to Cyprus—an island nation in the eastern Mediterranean—comes at the invitation of Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and is intended to reaffirm ties between India and the European Union, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India.
During his two-day stay in Cyprus from 15 to 16 June, Mr Modi is scheduled to hold talks with President Christodoulides in the capital city of Nicosia. He is also expected to address a business forum in the coastal city of Limassol.
"This visit will reaffirm the shared commitment of the two countries to deepen bilateral ties and strengthen India’s engagement with the Mediterranean region and the European Union," the MEA said in a statement.
A Symbolic Destination
The timing and location of the visit carry notable geopolitical implications. This year marks 51 years since the Turkish military intervention in Cyprus in 1974, an event that led to the division of the island. The northern part, known as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), is only recognised by Türkiye. The United Nations and European Union consider it to be occupied territory.
India's historic ties with Cyprus date back to that period. Several senior Indian Army officers played key roles in United Nations peacekeeping operations during the conflict. Lieutenant General Dewan Prem Chand, who led the UN Peacekeeping Force in 1974, was instrumental in maintaining ceasefire lines and safeguarding key installations in Nicosia. Earlier, Lieutenant General PS Gyani had served as the first commander of the mission from 1964 to 1965. He was succeeded by General KS Thimayya, who died while on duty in Cyprus.
The contributions of these Indian military leaders were officially acknowledged by the Cypriot Foreign Ministry in December 2022. Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides praised their efforts during a commemorative event marking 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also attended the event.
Strained India-Türkiye Relations
The Cyprus visit comes at a time of tension between New Delhi and Ankara. Türkiye has supported Pakistan on various international platforms and reportedly supplied military assistance—such as drones and equipment—during "Operation Sindoor", a recent Indian counter-terrorism initiative. In response, India has reportedly curtailed business operations of several Turkish firms within its borders.
While Indian officials have not directly linked the Cyprus visit to Türkiye, analysts suggest the move may be viewed as a strategic signal from New Delhi, particularly given the island’s ongoing geopolitical significance.
G7 Summit in Canada
After concluding his engagements in Cyprus, Mr Modi will travel to Canada to attend the 51st G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, on 16–17 June. The invitation came from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
This marks Mr Modi’s sixth consecutive appearance at the G7, where he is expected to participate in discussions with leaders of the world’s most advanced economies. Topics will include global energy security, technological innovation, and emerging issues related to artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
"The Prime Minister will exchange views with G7 leaders, outreach countries, and heads of international organisations on key global challenges," the Indian foreign ministry noted.
Bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit have also been scheduled, although details of those meetings have not yet been disclosed.
First Indian Prime Minister to Visit Croatia
On 18 June, Prime Minister Modi is set to become the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Croatia. His visit follows an invitation from Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.
Mr Modi is expected to hold bilateral talks with both Prime Minister Plenković and Croatian President Zoran Milanović. The Indian foreign ministry said the visit is aimed at deepening ties with the European Union and expanding India’s diplomatic footprint in central and eastern Europe.
Context:
India’s growing engagement with Europe comes amid broader efforts to diversify its international partnerships and assert its geopolitical stance in the face of regional challenges. While the focus of Mr Modi’s trip is officially on economic cooperation and multilateral diplomacy, the stopover in Cyprus adds historical and symbolic weight to the itinerary.
With the G7 platform providing a forum for global policymaking and Croatia offering an opportunity for new strategic partnerships, the tour is likely to reinforce India’s role as a proactive and globally engaged actor.
During his two-day stay in Cyprus from 15 to 16 June, Mr Modi is scheduled to hold talks with President Christodoulides in the capital city of Nicosia. He is also expected to address a business forum in the coastal city of Limassol.
"This visit will reaffirm the shared commitment of the two countries to deepen bilateral ties and strengthen India’s engagement with the Mediterranean region and the European Union," the MEA said in a statement.
A Symbolic Destination
The timing and location of the visit carry notable geopolitical implications. This year marks 51 years since the Turkish military intervention in Cyprus in 1974, an event that led to the division of the island. The northern part, known as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), is only recognised by Türkiye. The United Nations and European Union consider it to be occupied territory.
India's historic ties with Cyprus date back to that period. Several senior Indian Army officers played key roles in United Nations peacekeeping operations during the conflict. Lieutenant General Dewan Prem Chand, who led the UN Peacekeeping Force in 1974, was instrumental in maintaining ceasefire lines and safeguarding key installations in Nicosia. Earlier, Lieutenant General PS Gyani had served as the first commander of the mission from 1964 to 1965. He was succeeded by General KS Thimayya, who died while on duty in Cyprus.
The contributions of these Indian military leaders were officially acknowledged by the Cypriot Foreign Ministry in December 2022. Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides praised their efforts during a commemorative event marking 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also attended the event.
Strained India-Türkiye Relations
The Cyprus visit comes at a time of tension between New Delhi and Ankara. Türkiye has supported Pakistan on various international platforms and reportedly supplied military assistance—such as drones and equipment—during "Operation Sindoor", a recent Indian counter-terrorism initiative. In response, India has reportedly curtailed business operations of several Turkish firms within its borders.
While Indian officials have not directly linked the Cyprus visit to Türkiye, analysts suggest the move may be viewed as a strategic signal from New Delhi, particularly given the island’s ongoing geopolitical significance.
G7 Summit in Canada
After concluding his engagements in Cyprus, Mr Modi will travel to Canada to attend the 51st G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, on 16–17 June. The invitation came from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
This marks Mr Modi’s sixth consecutive appearance at the G7, where he is expected to participate in discussions with leaders of the world’s most advanced economies. Topics will include global energy security, technological innovation, and emerging issues related to artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
"The Prime Minister will exchange views with G7 leaders, outreach countries, and heads of international organisations on key global challenges," the Indian foreign ministry noted.
Bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit have also been scheduled, although details of those meetings have not yet been disclosed.
First Indian Prime Minister to Visit Croatia
On 18 June, Prime Minister Modi is set to become the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Croatia. His visit follows an invitation from Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.
Mr Modi is expected to hold bilateral talks with both Prime Minister Plenković and Croatian President Zoran Milanović. The Indian foreign ministry said the visit is aimed at deepening ties with the European Union and expanding India’s diplomatic footprint in central and eastern Europe.
Context:
India’s growing engagement with Europe comes amid broader efforts to diversify its international partnerships and assert its geopolitical stance in the face of regional challenges. While the focus of Mr Modi’s trip is officially on economic cooperation and multilateral diplomacy, the stopover in Cyprus adds historical and symbolic weight to the itinerary.
With the G7 platform providing a forum for global policymaking and Croatia offering an opportunity for new strategic partnerships, the tour is likely to reinforce India’s role as a proactive and globally engaged actor.
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