in-cyprus 10 June 2025 - by Andreas Bimbishis
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Cyprus in a trip that sends a message to Turkey and the broader region, marking the first visit by an Indian prime minister since 2002.
Senior diplomatic sources confirmed that Modi will arrive on the island on Sunday accompanied by a large delegation of approximately 100 people, with multiple announcements expected.
Despite historical ties between the two countries, visits by Indian prime ministers remain rare. Only two other visits have occurred in the past 40 years: Indira Gandhi in 1982 and Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2002.
Information released earlier in New Delhi emphasised that Modi’s visit aims to send a specific message to Turkey, which supported Pakistan during the recent India-Pakistan conflict.
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).
President Christodoulides referenced this during his early May trip to Israel. IMEC, an international infrastructure initiative aimed at creating a connectivity corridor between India, the Middle East and Europe, represents a US-led initiative.
Modi will visit Cyprus en route to Canada for the G-7 summit (15-17 June) and will make a stop in Croatia on his return journey.
The Croatia visit will mark the first prime ministerial-level visit from India since Croatia’s independence in 1991 following the former Yugoslavia’s dissolution.
Both visits are characterised by Indian officials as significant from political and commercial perspectives. Sources in New Delhi indicated the Cyprus visit will also constitute a message to Turkey, which assisted Pakistan during Operation Sindoor in May.
The visit will serve as a timely revival of high-level contacts, as Cyprus is set to assume the European Union Council Presidency in the first half of 2026.
Cyprus condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22 and stated it would raise the issue of cross-border terrorism from Pakistan in EU-level discussions.
Sources further emphasised that Cyprus has consistently supported India on the Kashmir issue. Additionally, the Mediterranean country has supported India’s campaign for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group, and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
In a reciprocal gesture, India has supported resolving the Cyprus issue according to UN Security Council resolutions, international law and EU acquis.
