Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Cyprus on Sunday afternoon, beginning a two-day official visit to the island.
Modi was greeted at Larnaca Airport by President Nikos Christodoulides and Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, followed by a brief meeting in the airport’s old terminal. Later, Christodoulides and Modi will take part in a roundtable meeting in Limassol with business leaders from Cyprus and India, followed by an informal working dinner.
On Monday, the pair will hold a private meeting at the presidential palace, where Christodoulides will present Modi with the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III, Cyprus’ highest honour. This will be followed by extensive talks between the two countries’ delegations, after which statements will be made to the media.
The discussions will focus on issues related to bilateral relations and ways to strengthen them, especially in the economic sphere, trade, infrastructure and investment.
Relations between India and the European Union, issues related to the planned “India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor” (IMEC), the situation in the Middle East and recent developments related to the Cyprus issue.
Christodoulides and Modi will then visit the Green Line in the centre of Nicosia, after which they will proceed to the presidential palace for an official lunch. After lunch, Modi will depart for Canada.
Cyprus is a “close friend,” Modi says
Before leaving India on Sunday morning, Modi described Cyprus as a “close friend and important partner.” He said his visit to Cyprus “provides an opportunity to strengthen historical ties and expand our relations in trade, investment, security, technology and promote people-to-people exchanges.”
After visiting Cyprus, Modi will travel to Canada for the upcoming G7 summit and then return to India via Croatia.
“The three-country tour is also an opportunity to thank partner countries for their unwavering support to India in our fight against cross-border terrorism and to enhance global understanding of the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” he said.
