Cyprus May Host Modi For Refuelling Stop En Route To G7 Summit In Canada; Bilateral Talks Possible
Last Updated:
While multiple possibilities are being explored, Cyprus has emerged as a likely candidate for a stopover before Canada
As preparations are underway for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Canada for the G7 Summit on June 16–17, officials are in the final stages of confirming international refueling stopovers, which may also double up as venues for bilateral engagements. Among the options being actively considered is Cyprus, sources told CNN-News18.
While multiple possibilities are being explored, Cyprus has emerged as a likely candidate for a stopover before Canada, given the recent uptick in diplomatic exchanges between the two nations. However, officials on both sides remain tight-lipped about the ongoing developments.
Strategic Timing And Diplomatic Optics
A Cyprus halt, if finalised, would not merely serve logistical needs — it may carry significant diplomatic symbolism, especially against the backdrop of PM Modi's earlier meeting with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides on the sidelines of the UNGA last year.
During that interaction, PM Modi reaffirmed India's support for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Cyprus.
Foreign policy watchers see this as a potential opportunity to reinforce ties, particularly as Cyprus has consistently supported India, including in the aftermath of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, which it raised during an EU meeting. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also held a conversation with his Cypriot counterpart following the incident.
The last high-level exchange between the two countries occurred in 2017, when the then President of Cyprus visited India. Cyprus has previously sought India's assistance in resolving its four-decade-long territorial dispute, making any high-level engagement diplomatically notable.
PM Modi's visit to Canada, his first in nearly a decade, comes at a crucial juncture. Diplomatic ties between India and Canada have been frosty in recent months, particularly under the previous Canadian administration, with public spats, withdrawn envoys, and unresolved tensions over Khalistani extremism.
The invitation from newly appointed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has therefore surprised many, including Khalistani groups who have resumed protests, and the Congress party, which had questioned the likelihood of Modi's attendance.
With Modi returning to Canadian soil after last visiting in 2015, the trip signals a possible reset in Indo-Canadian relations under a new political regime in Ottawa—one that seems eager to re-engage with India.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
Asked Modi to stop Hasina from speaking, he said not possible due to social media: Yunus
LONDON: Chief adviser to the interim Bangladesh govt, Mohammad Yunus , told delegates at Chatham House Wednesday he had asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stop ousted Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina from 'speaking' after she fled to India but Modi replied that it was not possible because of social media. 'I said to PM Modi: 'You want to host her? I can't force you to abandon that policy, but please help us in making sure she doesn't speak to Bangladeshi people the way she is doing as the whole of Bangladesh gets very angry.' India is not doing what I asked. Modi's answer was: 'It is social media, we can't control it.' What can you say? It's an explosive situation. You can't just walk away by saying it's social media,' Yunus said. 'We want to build the best relationship with India – but somehow things go wrong all the time because of all fake news coming from the Indian press,' he said. 'Some people say it has connections with policy makers at the top. This is what makes Bangladesh very jittery. A whole barrage of things keep happening in cyber space.' Yunus said Awami League didn't need to be part of the 2026 elections as 'it isn't a political party'. He pledged to hold 'the most beautiful election ever'. 'If they can kill young people on the street, make people disappear, steal money, would you call them a political party? None of them has ever expressed remorse. For the safety of politics of this country, the nation has decided that, for time being, the activities of Awami League will be suspended until the trial is over,' he said, referring to the trial of perpetrators of violence under the Hasina regime. 'We have not banned Awami League. ' Protests marked Yunus' visit to Chatham House. 'How can he ban the Awami League? He is not even elected. He has no authority,' said one of the Bangladeshi diaspora protesters outside, chanting, 'Yunus terrorist'. One held a placard calling for the release of former Iskcon monk Chinmoy Prabhu.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
2 hours ago
- Business Standard
11 years of Modi govt: Infra revolution boosting 'ease of living', says PM
The Union government and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled state governments on Wednesday continued to highlight the achievements of the 11 years of the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) dispensation, with the Prime Minister posting on social media details of the 'infrastructure revolution' during this period. "It's been 11 years of infrastructure revolution with outstanding infrastructure being added that has enhanced India's growth trajectory," Modi said on X. From railways to highways, ports to airports, India's rapidly expanding infrastructure network is boosting 'Ease of Living' and enhancing prosperity, he said. In another post, Modi said: 'India's push for next-gen infrastructure is powered by sustainability and long-term vision.' It is laying the foundations of a self-reliant India, he said. In a document prepared by the newly launched Press Information Bureau (PIB) Research, the government also pointed to the efficacy of the Pragati (pro-active governance and timely implementation) platform, which was put in place 10 years ago, in fast-tracking of infrastructure projects. It said the most recent meeting of Pragati, which the PM chairs, took place on May 29. This was its 47th meeting since its inception in March 2015. The government said since its launch, over 363 projects have been reviewed under the Pragati initiative, which enables the PM to directly engage with the secretaries of the government and chief secretaries of states via videoconferencing. The government also highlighted the external challenges that it has faced — whether in its response to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism with the Uri surgical strike in 2016, the Balakot air strike of 2019, and Operation Sindoor in 2025 — and how it has dealt with challenges of internal security, such as the threat of Naxalism. In Raipur, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said the PM's target of uprooting Naxalism by March next year is being fulfilled. In Chhattisgarh, 425 Maoists have been neutralised, 1,443 arrested, 1,388 others have surrendered in the last one-and-a-half years, Sai said. 'Our security forces have broken the backbone of Maoism by neutralising top Naxalites like Basavaraju and Sudhakar,' he said. According to government data, left wing extremism (LWE) districts have reduced from over 100 in 2014 to a mere 18 now. The Opposition Congress on Wednesday said 'anti-people policies' have been the hallmark of the 11 years of the government at the Centre. Congress general secretary and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel pointed to a recent report to accuse the Uttar Pradesh government of concealing the number of people who died during the Kumbh stampede earlier this year, as the numbers were more than what was claimed. He said the number of deaths during the Covid pandemic, recently released data has shown, was much more than what the government had claimed. On govt's agenda: Delimitation, women quota implementation before 2029 LS polls Top government sources on Wednesday said the intent was to complete the process of delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies, as also reserving a third of the Lok Sabha and legislative Assembly seats for women, by the time the 2029 Lok Sabha elections are announced. The delimitation of seats and women's reservation will have to be based on the Census-2027 data, and a delimitation commission will have to be set up for the purpose. The Centre, on June 4, announced that the Census will be completed by March 1, 2027, and include enumeration of castes. However, there has been skepticism whether the data would be available in time for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. The provisional data for the 2011 Census was released on March 31, 2011, 25 days after its population enumeration phase ended, while the final data was released two years later on April 30, 2013. However, the government is hopeful of completing the process of delimitation by the 2029 polls since the Census-2027 will be the first digital Census, where enumerators will enter data into apps that it can process in real-time, facilitating quicker publication of datasets.
India Today
2 hours ago
- India Today
Speaking for India is a national duty: Anand Sharma, Op Sindoor global envoy
47:53 India Today analyzes exclusive high-resolution satellite imagery that reveals Pakistan's efforts to conceal damage from India's missile strikes at multiple air force bases. The images show the use of camouflage nets and tarpaulins to cover damaged structures at Bhulari, Murid, and Jacobabad bases. The extent of damage indicates the strikes were substantive rather than symbolic, with evidence of structural damage and potential loss of aircraft and personnel. The program discusses the strategic implications and Pakistan's attempts to downplay the impact. Additionally, India sent 7 delegations comprising 59 leaders and diplomats to 33 countries to expose Pakistan's state support for radical Islamist terror. The delegations met with foreign officials and parliamentary committees to convey India's stance on terrorism and its right to self-defense. They emphasized that terrorism promoted by Pakistan's army is a global threat. The delegates also highlighted India's economic and technological progress. Upon return, the teams met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who complimented them for effectively presenting India's voice.
