Could PM Modi's Journey to Canada Include a Stop in Cyprus?

Nicosia/New Delhi, June 9 (NationPress) In yet another indication of India's expanding diplomatic relations with Mediterranean nations, particularly those neighboring Turkey, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is reportedly planning a brief stop in Cyprus on his way to Canada for the G7 Summit, sources revealed on Monday.

The G7 Summit is set to take place in Alberta from June 15-17, and officials are considering Cyprus as a key refueling point for PM Modi's journey. During this short visit, he may engage in bilateral talks with Cyprus's leadership, they added.

The region is currently marked by tensions, as Greece and Cyprus have continuously criticized Ankara's provocative actions and accused President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of expansionist endeavors that have stirred unrest among other nations within Europe and beyond. Turkey has faced backlash for extending its oil and gas exploration into Greece's territorial waters and conducting drilling activities within Cyprus's economic maritime zones.

Over the past decade, India-Cyprus ties have significantly strengthened under PM Modi's leadership, who emphasized that both nations share a rich heritage of ancient civilizations that have influenced each other over centuries. India has consistently maintained a principled stance on the Cyprus Issue, reaffirming its commitment to a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation in line with UN resolutions as a viable solution.

“Our relationship has historical roots dating back to our pre-independence era, when our founding leaders supported Cyprus's quest for freedom. Cyprus has reciprocated with warmth and friendship. India has always stood by Cyprus on critical issues. In 1974, we firmly supported the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus. Our personnel have contributed to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, and it’s gratifying to know they are fondly remembered there,” PM Modi remarked during the visit of Cyprus's President to India in April 2017.

Nicosia shares a common goal with New Delhi in advocating for early reforms within the United Nations and has backed India's aspiration for a permanent seat in an expanded UN Security Council.

During his visit to Nicosia in December 2022, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar noted that India will become increasingly involved in the Mediterranean, with Cyprus serving as a crucial partner in these efforts.

Following the signing of three significant agreements in Nicosia, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defense and military cooperation, Jaishankar outlined seven areas for future collaboration between Cyprus and India, including finance, shipping, tourism, knowledge economy, mobility flows, third-country projects, and Mediterranean cooperation.

“The Mediterranean is a region of growing significance for us... Our relationships with both northern and southern Mediterranean countries have intensified visibly in recent years,” Jaishankar stated at a business event in Limassol, Cyprus's second-largest city, on December 30, 2022.

“This region will see more of India in the coming years, and our relationship with Cyprus will be pivotal in these efforts,” he added.

Jaishankar also mentioned that given the strong rapport between India and Cyprus, both nations might explore collaboration in third countries, potentially in Africa or elsewhere, where they share historical ties and comfort levels,” he said during the event, attended by Cyprus's Foreign Affairs Minister and Deputy Shipping Minister.