
PM Modi: 3-nation tour chance to thank partners for backing India's fight against terror
PM Modi being welcomed by members of the Indian diaspora in Cyprus
Ahead of his departure for Cyprus on Sunday, PM
Narendra Modi
said his three-nation tour was also an opportunity to thank partner countries for their "steadfast support" to India in its fight against cross-border terrorism, and to galvanise global understanding on tackling terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
Modi arrived in Cyprus on Sunday afternoon and was received at the airport by President Nikos Christodoulides. A formal bilateral meeting will take place today.
He will also travel to Canada and Croatia during what is his first visit abroad since
Operation Sindoor
. Modi will participate in the G7 outreach session on Tuesday.
While he will look to address issues related to the Global South at G7, Modi is expected to touch upon Pakistan's support to cross-border terror in several bilateral meetings on the sidelines.

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NDTV
19 minutes ago
- NDTV
"50% Of World's Digital Transactions Take Place In India Through UPI": PM Modi In Cyprus
Limassol: Highlighting India's rapid economic growth and vast potential at the India-Cyprus CEO Forum, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India has become the fifth-largest economy in the world today and is now on the path to becoming the third largest global economy soon. Addressing the India-Cyprus CEO Forum in Limassol on Sunday (local time), the Prime Minister said that introducing tax reforms with the implementation of GST, corporate tax and decriminalising several laws, his government has given prime importance to the ease of doing business apart from having a clear and stable policies. "Friends, you know very well that we have done tax reforms. One nation, one tax system has been introduced with GST. Corporate tax has been made. We have done the work of decriminalising thousands of laws. We have given equal emphasis on ease of doing business as well as trust in doing business. Today, India has a clear policy. Along with this, there is also a stable policy," he said. PM Modi said that this visit was the first for India's Prime Minister after two decades. During this visit, the first meeting was a business forum, showing the importance associated with the economic world. "Many Indian companies have also in a way seen Cyprus as a gateway to Europe. Today mutual trade has reached $150 million. But the real potential of our relationships is much more than that. Most of you are associated with India," he said. "In the last one decade, India has become the fifth largest economy of the world and in the near future, we are moving very fast towards becoming the third largest economy of the world. Today, India is one of the fastest-growing emerging economies in the world... Today, India has a clear policy." PM Modi highlighted that India has experienced a significant digital revolution, with 50 per cent of digital transactions worldwide happening through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). This digital transformation has been a game-changer for the country, promoting financial inclusion and innovation, he added. "It has happened after six decades that the same government has been elected for the third consecutive time. There has been a digital revolution in the last 10 years. Financial inclusion has become an example of this. Today, 50 per cent of the world's digital transactions take place in India through Unified Payments Interface i.e, UPI," said PM Modi. The Prime Minister welcomed talks to include Cyprus in UPI, similar to France, and said, "Many countries, like France, are associated with it. Talks are going on to include Cyprus in this and I welcome it." He highlighted India's growing economic strength and its focus on futuristic infrastructure development. PM Modi also detailed focus areas, including the new Manufacturing Mission, maritime and port development, shipbuilding, and a rapidly expanding civil aviation sector. The Indian government has launched the Manufacturing Mission to boost the country's manufacturing sector, focusing on sectors like electronics, information technology, semiconductors, biotech, and green development, he said. This initiative aims to make India a global hub for semiconductor manufacturing and promote economic growth. "We are investing more than a hundred billion dollars annually in developing futuristic infrastructure in India. In this year's budget, we have started the Manufacturing Mission. Our focus is on maritime and port development. We are also giving priority to shipbuilding and shipbreaking. A new policy is also being brought for this. The civil aviation sector is also moving forward rapidly. Innovation has become a strong pillar of India's economic strength. Our more than 1 lakh startups sell solutions, not just dreams," said PM Modi. PM Modi invited investors to take advantage of India's growth story, emphasising the country's favourable policies, thriving market, and growing talent pool. He encouraged companies to co-develop, co-design, and co-produce in India, leveraging economic and technological growth. PM Modi said that this visit was the first for India's Prime Minister after two decades. During this visit, the first meeting was a business forum, showing the importance associated with the economic world. "After twenty-three years, the Prime Minister of India has arrived in Cyprus. And the first program is being organised for the Business Round Table. This is an indication of the importance of people's association with the economic world in the relationship between India and Cyprus. I have listened very carefully to your thoughts," PM Modi said. PM Modi said that India realises Cyprus' commitment to building economic ties. "I have realised your commitment to India-Cyprus economic ties. There is immense potential for advancement in our relationship. Cyprus has been our trusted partner for a long time, which you also mentioned. And significant investment has also been made in India from here," he said. PM Modi said that the Indian economy is growing in the civil aviation and start-up sectors, with hundreds of unicorns. "It is also growing rapidly in the civil aviation sector. Indian companies have placed new orders for more than 1,000 aircraft. Innovation has become a strong pillar of India's economic strength. More than one hundred thousand of our start-ups. Not just dreams sell solutions. Of these, hundreds have become unicorns. India is in the balance of economy and ecology," he added. PM Modi said India is committed to securing a sustainable future. "India believes, and we are committed to paving the way for a clean and green future. By 2030, we are moving very fast toward the target of 500 gigawatts of renewable energy. Growth of green shipping and up to 2030. They are working fast to make the railways 100 per cent carbon neutral. AI Mission, Quantum Mission, Semiconductor Mission, Critical Mineral Mission, Nuclear Power Mission are becoming the new engine of our growth engine," he added. PM Modi is currently on a two-day visit to Cyprus from June 15 to 16, at the invitation of President Nikos Christodoulides, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in more than 20 years.


NDTV
19 minutes ago
- NDTV
PM Modi Makes Historic First Visit To Cyprus, Gets Warm Welcome
Limassol (Cyprus): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday received a heartfelt and warm welcome from the Indian diaspora in Limassol, as he arrived in Cyprus as part of his three-nation tour. PM Modi was seen being greeted by the diaspora with bouquets as he arrived at his hotel and the Prime Minister also engaged with the diaspora, exchanging greetings and acknowledging their support. It is the first-ever visit by an Indian PM to the Mediterranean nation. His arrival is being described as a historic moment by both Indian and Cypriot diplomatic sources. PM Modi, accompanied by a large delegation of around 100 officials, is visiting Cyprus at the invitation of President Nicos Christodoulides. Earlier, PM Modi was received with a ceremonial welcome at Larnaca International Airport by the President Christodoulides. "Landed in Cyprus. My gratitude to the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, for the special gesture of welcoming me at the airport. This visit will add significant momentum to India-Cyprus relations, especially in areas like trade, investment and more," PM Modi said in a post on X. During the visit, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to hold delegation-level talks with the President of Cyprus. Key issues on the agenda include expanding cooperation in trade and investment, IT and innovation, defence, shipping, renewable energy, and people-to-people ties. Both leaders are also expected to exchange views on global and regional developments, including maritime security and the situation in West Asia. Ahead of his arrival, the Indian diaspora in Cyprus was brimming with excitement at PM Modi's much-anticipated visit. India and Cyprus have traditionally enjoyed strong diplomatic relations since the establishment of ties in 1962. Cyprus has consistently supported India's position on Kashmir and other key issues at international platforms, including the United Nations. Apart from official meetings, Prime Minister Modi is also expected to address and interact with members of the Indian diaspora in Cyprus. Although small in number, the Indian community plays a vital role in local education, healthcare, and business sectors. The pictures of his arrival in Cyprus were shared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his official X account. PM Modi was received and given a warm welcome at the airport by the Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides as well as Finance Minister Constantinos Kombos, reflecting the deep-rooted historic ties between the two nations. Cyprus President also took to X to welcome PM Modi, as he wrote: "Welcome to Cyprus Prime Minister Narendra Modi! Here, at the EU's southeastern frontier and gateway of the Mediteranean. A historic visit... A new chapter in a strategic partnership that knows no limits. We make a promise to advance, transform, prosper more. Together." Prior to his departure for three-nation tour, PM Modi described Cyprus as "a close friend and an important partner in the Mediterranean region and the EU". He added that the visit was an opportunity to build on the historical friendship between the two nations and promote people-to-people exchanges. Cyprus, a member of the European Union is set to assume the 'rotating presidency' of the EU, early next year. PM Modi's visit is seen as part of India's consistent diplomatic outreach to Europe. After Cyprus visit, PM Modi will head to Canada to attend the G7 Summit and will then travel to Croatia for meetings with President Zoran Milanovic and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic.


NDTV
19 minutes ago
- NDTV
"Land Borders Open": Iran On India's Request For Evacuation Of Students
Tehran: Iran on Monday responded to India's request for the safe evacuation of Indian students stuck in Iranian cities as Israel continued its bombing of targets in the Islamic Republic. Tehran said that though the airspace is closed over Iran, all land borders are open for the safe evacuation of Indian nationals. In its response, the Foreign Minister of Iran gave the green light to India's diplomatic mission and extended help for the safe evacuation of diplomats and civilians. "Given the current condition and the closure of the country's airports, as well as the request of many political missions to transfer their diplomats and nationals abroad, we inform that all land borders are open for crossing," it said. Tehran asked India to give the names, passport numbers, and vehicle specifications of the people crossing the borders to its General Protocol Department. It also asked for the time of travel and the desired border, through which the person will exit the country, to make necessary arrangements for the safe travel of diplomats and other citizens. Indians Stranded In Iran Thousands of Indians are stranded in various Iranian cities as Israel and Iran continue to trade missiles, with neither side showing any sign of backing down. This includes more than 1,500 Indian students, most of whom are from Jammu and Kashmir. On Monday, India said that some Indian students in Iran were being relocated to "safer places" within the country, stressing that "other feasible options" were also being examined. "The Indian Embassy in Tehran is continuously monitoring the security situation and engaging Indian students in Iran to ensure their safety. In some cases, students are being relocated with the Embassy's facilitation to safer places within Iran. Other feasible options are also under examination," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The Embassy of India in Tehran also asked those stuck in Iranian cities not to panic and exercise due caution. In an advisory, the Indian Embassy in Tehran asked all Indian nationals and Persons of Indian Origin to remain vigilant, avoid all unnecessary movements, follow the embassy's social media accounts and observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities. The embassy provided a Google form on its X account and asked the Indian citizens to fill it out to provide their details. "Please remember, it is important not to panic, exercise due caution and maintain contact with the Embassy of India in Tehran," it said. It also provided a Telegram Link and asked the Indian citizens to join it to receive updates on the situation from the mission. "Kindly note that this Telegram Link is ONLY for those Indian Nationals who are currently in Iran," the embassy posted on X. Iran-Israel Conflict Israel launched "Operation Rising Lion" with a surprise attack on Friday morning that wiped out the top echelon of Iran's military command and damaged its nuclear sites. Iran retaliated with air strikes, with both countries launching hundreds of missiles at each other in the last four days. While Israel has said the campaign will continue to escalate in the coming days, Iran has vowed to "open the gates of hell" in retaliation.