On June 15, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make a historic visit to Cyprus en route to the G7 Summit in Canada, marking only the third time an Indian prime minister has visited the Mediterranean nation. This rare diplomatic stopover, followed by a visit to Croatia on his return, sends a clear geopolitical signal amid rising tensions with the Turkiye-Pakistan axis and growing solidarity between Ankara and Islamabad following India’s Operation Sindoor. The visit underscores India’s strategic intent to deepen ties with Cyprus, a key European Union (EU) member that has consistently supported India on issues like terrorism and United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reform. It also highlights opportunities for collaboration in defense, the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), and global forums.

India’s relations with Turkiye have been strained due to Ankara’s vocal support for Pakistan, particularly on the Kashmir issue, and its assistance during Operation Sindoor, India’s May 2025 counter-terrorism strikes targeting terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Turkiye’s alignment with Pakistan, including military and diplomatic backing, has prompted India to strengthen ties with nations like Cyprus, which is a regional rival of Turkiye due to a decades-long territorial dispute. Modi’s visit to Cyprus serves as a subtle yet deliberate message to Ankara, signaling that India can leverage partnerships with Turkiye’s adversaries to counterbalance its influence.

Cyprus has consistently condemned Pakistan-linked terrorism, notably raising the Pahalgam attack at EU-level discussions. By aligning with Cyprus, India gains a reliable partner in its fight against cross-border terrorism, reinforcing a shared stance against nations that sponsor or harbor terrorists. This alignment strengthens India’s narrative on the global stage, especially after Operation Sindoor, which killed over 100 terrorists and exposed Pakistan’s terror infrastructure.

As Cyprus prepares to assume the rotating presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2026, Modi’s visit is a timely move to deepen India-EU ties. Cyprus has been a steadfast supporter of India’s bid for a permanent UNSC seat, as well as its membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the International Atomic Energy Agency. In return, India supports Cyprus’s position on resolving its territorial dispute with Turkiye in accordance with UNSC resolutions, international law, and EU regulations. This mutual support fosters a strategic partnership that aligns with India’s broader goal of expanding its footprint in Europe.

The visit also builds on recent defense and technological collaborations. For example, India and Cyprus share interests in maritime security and counter-terrorism, areas where bilateral cooperation can grow. Modi’s discussions with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides are expected to explore defense cooperation, including potential joint exercises or technology transfers, further cementing this partnership.

Launched at the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi, the IMEC aims to connect India, the Middle East, and Europe through a network of ports, railways, and digital infrastructure, rivaling China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Cyprus, with its strategic location in the eastern Mediterranean, is a potential participant and investor in IMEC projects. Its ports could serve as key nodes in this corridor, facilitating trade and connectivity between India and Europe. Modi’s visit is likely to explore investment opportunities and technical collaborations, positioning Cyprus as a critical partner in India’s ambitious economic vision.

The visit to Cyprus, coupled with a stop in Croatia, reflects India’s nuanced foreign policy under the Modi Doctrine, which emphasizes engaging with both neighboring and global partners to counter adversarial alliances. By strengthening ties with Cyprus, India not only counters Turkiye’s support for Pakistan but also aligns with Greece and Armenia, other nations with strained relations with Turkiye. For instance, Greece has sought combat data from Operation Sindoor to study Rafale jet tactics, indicating a deepening India-Greece defense partnership that indirectly aligns with Cyprus’s interests. This strategic encirclement subtly pressures Turkiye without direct confrontation.

The Turkiye-Cyprus conflict, often referred to as the Cyprus Problem, is a decades-long dispute.

• Pre-1974 Tensions: Cyprus, an island nation with a mixed Greek Cypriot (majority) and Turkish Cypriot (minority) population, gained independence from Britain in 1960. However, ethnic tensions between the two communities led to violence, exacerbated by Greece and Turkiye’s competing interests.
• 1974 Turkish Invasion: In response to a Greek-backed coup attempting to unite Cyprus with Greece, Turkiye invaded the northern part of the island in 1974, citing the need to protect Turkish Cypriots. This resulted in the division of Cyprus, with Turkiye occupying roughly 36% of the island, establishing the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), recognized only by Turkiye.
• Ongoing Division: Since 1974, Cyprus remains divided, with the Republic of Cyprus (Greek Cypriot-controlled, internationally recognized) in the south and the TRNC in the north, separated by a UN-patrolled buffer zone. UNSC resolutions call for a reunified Cyprus under a bizonal, bicommunal federation, but negotiations have repeatedly failed.

Turkiye insists on a two-state solution, recognizing the TRNC as a sovereign entity, and maintains a significant military presence in northern Cyprus. This stance conflicts with international law and EU positions, as the EU recognizes only the Republic of Cyprus.

The Republic of Cyprus seeks reunification under UNSC resolutions, accusing Turkiye of illegal occupation. Cyprus has leveraged its EU membership to pressure Turkiye, whose EU accession talks are stalled partly due to this dispute.

Pakistan supports Turkiye’s position on the Cyprus issue, remaining silent on UNSC resolutions condemning the TRNC, in contrast to its vocal stance on Kashmir. This solidarity strengthens the Turkiye-Pakistan axis, prompting India to align with Cyprus as a countermeasure.

The Cyprus-Turkiye conflict creates a natural alignment between India and Cyprus. Both nations face territorial disputes fueled by Pakistan and Turkiye, respectively, and share a commitment to countering state-sponsored terrorism. Cyprus’s condemnation of the Pahalgam attack and its advocacy against Pakistan at the EU level mirror India’s concerns about cross-border terrorism. By visiting Cyprus, Modi reinforces this shared narrative, positioning India as a partner in Cyprus’s quest for justice while advancing its own strategic interests.