Larnaca [Cyprus], June 15 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Cyprus on Sunday for his first-ever official visit to the Mediterranean nation, receiving a warm welcome from President Nikos Christodoulides at the airport. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the presidential welcome as a “special gesture” that reflects the depth and strength of India-Cyprus relations.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared details of the visit in a video message posted on X, emphasizing the historic and enduring nature of bilateral ties.
“Our ties with Cyprus are historic, warm, and enduring. Today, on arrival at the airport, he [PM Modi] was received by the President of Cyprus. This was a special gesture from the Cyprus side,” said Jaiswal.
During the visit, PM Modi and President Christodoulides are expected to participate in a business roundtable to strengthen India-Cyprus economic ties. The agenda includes exploring new areas of cooperation such as data, innovation, digital payments, shipbuilding, and port development.
Following the business engagement, Prime Minister Modi will be formally welcomed at the Presidential Palace with a ceremonial reception. This will be followed by delegation-level talks and a joint press briefing. Later in the evening, President Christodoulides will host a private dinner in honor of PM Modi.
The Indian Prime Minister also received a warm reception from the Indian diaspora upon his arrival in Limassol. Community members greeted him with bouquets and enthusiastic cheers outside his hotel. PM Modi acknowledged the support of the diaspora and shared his appreciation via social media:
“I thank the Indian community for the affection. India will keep working to deepen ties with Cyprus in the times to come,” he wrote on X.
This visit marks a historic milestone, as it is the first time an Indian Prime Minister has visited Cyprus. Modi is traveling with a delegation of approximately 100 officials as part of a broader three-nation tour that also includes Canada and Croatia.
Cyprus has consistently backed India on key international issues, including Kashmir, cross-border terrorism, and reforms to the United Nations Security Council. The island nation is set to assume the rotating presidency of the European Union Council on January 1, further underscoring the strategic importance of this visit.
The visit follows an invitation extended by President Christodoulides and comes eight years after then-Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades visited India, aiming to reaffirm and deepen the partnership between the two countries across diplomatic, economic, and regional platforms. (ANI)
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