Cyprus Greets India With 'Vande Mataram' Over PM Modi's Visit To Mediterranean Nation
In a show of warm hospitality, Cyprus has welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi with traditional chants of 'Vande Mataram' and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai', as he arrived on his maiden visit to the Mediterranean nation in over two decades. The ceremony at Larnaca International Airport was attended by President Nikos Christodoulides, marking a significant boost to Indo-Cypriot relations.
Cyprus has reaffirmed its commitment to a partnership with India "that knows no limits" during PM Modi's three-nation tour, which also includes Canada and Croatia. The visit has highlighted the strategic importance of nurturing old friendships while forging new pathways of cooperation between India and the Mediterranean region.
During his two-day stay in Cyprus, PM Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with President Christodoulides, attend a business roundtable in Limassol, and receive the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III. The leaders are expected to discuss expanding cooperation in sectors such as renewable energy, digital innovation, infrastructure, and higher education.
Cyprus has emerged as a reliable ally of India on global issues, including its condemnation of cross-border terrorism. The country's support for India's stance on these issues is seen as a significant development, with Prime Minister Modi expressing gratitude for the warm welcome and emphasis on shared democratic values and historical ties that bind the two countries.
The visit comes at a crucial time, as Cyprus prepares to assume the presidency of the European Union Council in early 2026. The strategic importance of India's engagement with the Mediterranean region and the European Union is reflected in PM Modi's tour, which underscores the country's intent to strengthen its presence in this critical region.
As PM Modi begins his preparations to depart for the G7 Summit in Canada, Cypriot commentators have hailed the visit as a historic moment in bilateral diplomacy. The Prime Minister's three-nation tour has been seen by many as a turning point in Mediterranean-Asian diplomacy, symbolizing the growing connection between India and its strategic partners in the region.