This isn't era of war: Modi & Cyprus President Nikos
In a message to both Israel and Iran, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said he and
Cyprus
President Nikos Christodoulides "expressed concern" over the ongoing conflicts in West Asia and Europe, and they both agree that "this is not an era of war".
At a joint press conference with Christodoulides, Modi said "
resolution through dialogue
and restoration of stability is the call of humanity".
"We both expressed concern over the conflicts going on in West Asia and Europe. Their negative impact is not just limited to those regions. We both consider that this is not an era of war. Resolution through dialogue and restoration of stability is the call of humanity," Modi said. The remarks against war from Cyprus is notable as Cyprus is located in close proximity to Israel and shares strong ties with Tel Aviv.
Modi appreciated Cyprus for its support to India's fight against cross-border terrorism. "We are thankful for Cyprus' support to India's fight against cross-border terrorism," said Modi, who is currently on an official visit to Cyprus on the first leg of his three-nation tour. "We have a historic friendship, and there is trust in ties," Christodoulides said in his remarks.
He recalled the horrific
Pahalgam terror attack
of April 22 and asserted that Cyprus stands in "full solidarity" with India. Cyprus "stands with India in its fight against terrorism" in all forms and manifestations, the President said.
Christodoulides also referred to the Ahmedabad plane crash and said the people of Cyprus are with India in this time of grief. Modi and Christodoulides held wide-ranging talks, covering the full range of relations.
During the joint press meet, Christodoulides said, "We also discussed the Cyprus issue with the prime minister," adding Cyprus wants to end the "illegal occupation" by Turkey, referring to the disputed northern region. "We extend the gratitude of the Republic of Cyprus to India and its people for their support. The support for the territorial integrity of Cyprus, our reunification," he said.
The PM noted that mutual trust in democracy and the rule of law form a "strong foundation of our ties". "Our ties are neither made by circumstances nor limited. We respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said. Modi said, "Together, we will shape the future."
Highest civilian honour for Modi
"Humbled to receive the 'Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III' of Cyprus. I dedicate it to the friendship between our nations," the PM said. The Order of Makarios III is the senior order of knighthood awarded by the country named after the first President of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios III. "I am confident that in the time to come, our active partnership will touch new heights...," the prime minister said.
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Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
A quaint road in Delhi gains spotlight after PM Modi is conferred honour in Cyprus
On Monday, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Cyprus' one of the highest civilian honour—the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III—it cast a quiet glow on a corner of central Delhi. Tucked behind Lodhi Road, a short, tree-lined stretch named Archbishop Makarios Marg suddenly found itself in the spotlight. The road, renamed in the 1980s, honours Makarios III, the towering figure who served as Archbishop of the Church of Cyprus from 1950 to 1977 and later became the country's first President. He is widely regarded as the founding father of the Republic of Cyprus, leading its transition from British colonial rule. The award Modi received also bears his name, cementing a historical thread between Nicosia and New Delhi—one woven through shared diplomacy and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). The Archbishop Makarios Marg, historians recall, was once called Golf Links Road. But in the wake of the 1983 NAM summit hosted in Delhi, it was among several roads rechristened in tribute to international leaders aligned with India's vision. 'A host of important leaders were in Delhi for the summit, including Fidel Castro,' said author Sohail Hashmi. 'Soon after, roads were renamed for them—Josip Broz Tito Marg, Gamal Abdel Nasser Marg, Ho Chi Minh Marg—and Makarios Marg. He was a freedom fighter and central to Cyprus' struggle for independence.' 'Pandit Nehru's role was instrumental in the non-aligned movement and this continued till the 1980s, particularly during Indira Gandhi's time, when India wholly believed in this ideology,' Hashmi added. Prime Minister Modi, accepting the honour in Cyprus on Monday, expressed gratitude to the President and people of Cyprus, dedicating the award to the historic friendship between the two nations. The road named after Makarios is a relic of a diplomatic era that once burned brightly. Political scientist Anuradha Chenoy, former dean at JNU's School of International Studies and now with OP Jindal Global University, said the road-naming spree of the 1980s was a reflection of India's deep commitment to NAM. 'I remember that summit—Fidel Castro, Yasser Arafat, had all come to Delhi,' said Chenoy. 'It was also a time when the city was being reimagined spatially. The Shanti Path diplomatic enclave was coming up, embassies were being consolidated, and roads were named after world leaders who stood for decolonisation and sovereignty. Makarios had passed away not long before. Naming a road after him was part of that ethos.' Congress leader Jairam Ramesh remembered the archbishop's connection to India. In a post on X, he recalled Makarios' visit to India in 1962, where he spent two weeks as a guest of the Nehru government. 'When Pandit Nehru died in 1964, Cyprus declared a national day of mourning,' Ramesh wrote. 'In the early 1980s, a beautiful and busy street in Delhi's Golf Links area was named after him—although his name is split into two parts on the signboard.'
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Friends with benefits
Most countries today prefer keeping options open rather than locking in ties. That may help stave off WWIII Modi's visit to Cyprus – the first by an Indian PM in 23 years – is being read as a deft signal to Türkiye following the latter's support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. New Delhi was clearly not happy with Ankara taking Islamabad's side. Cyprus, which has a history with Türkiye given the latter's invasion of the country in 1974 and effective partitioning of northern Cyprus, strongly supports India's position. So this appears to be a classic case of 'my enemy's enemy is my friend'. Except that ties between India and Türkiye aren't totally belligerent, and routine relations continue on several fronts. In a similar vein, in the latest round of Iran-Israel conflict several countries, including India, aren't taking a clear side. They would ideally like to preserve ties with both parties. The same can be said of the Ukraine-Russia war with many countries looking to have balanced relations with both Kyiv and Moscow after the hostilities end. The 21st century foreign policy dictum, therefore, is more closely aligned with the saying 'there are no permanent friends and enemies in geopolitics'. Be it US's approach to Afghanistan after the return of Taliban, Vietnam's ties with US today that have buried the acrimony of the Vietnam War, or the improving ties between South Korea & Japan, there's a sense that our increasingly interconnected world provides opportunities that can overcome differences. Does this approach make the world safer? Well, going by the number of conflicts currently raging or threatening to break out (from Ukraine to Taiwan) it may appear not. However, giving primacy to geopolitical flexibility puts a check on Cold War-type bloc scenarios from taking hold and furthers the case of multipolarity. That in turn could at least help stave off World War III, if not prevent regional conflicts. Hence, India's multialignment strategy appears to be surfing the right wave. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email This piece appeared as an editorial opinion in the print edition of The Times of India.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
PM Modi to address G7 outreach session today
File photo: PM Modi (Picture credit: PTI) NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi landed in Calgary on Monday evening (local time) to participate in the G7 Summit that is taking place at the nearby Kananaskis village in Alberta. During his 23-hour stay in Canada, Prime Minister Modi will address the G7 Outreach Session on Tuesday and have bilateral meetings, including with host Canadian PM Mark Carney, before departing for Croatia on Tuesday evening. This will be Modi's first visit to Canada since 2015. Official sources said his programme is still being worked on to ensure as many bilateral engagements as possible. There was no clarity till late on Monday if a formal bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump was going to take place. A meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is also not ruled out. This will be India's 12th participation, and Modi's 6th, in Outreach Sessions of G7 Summits. India has been regularly getting invitations for the G7 since 2019, in a sign of the importance the group of most economically advanced countries attaches to India. Indian govt sources highlighted the fact that India's economy is now larger than at least three G7 member countries - France, Italy, and Canada. "India in 2023 concluded its G20 presidency and is a strong voice of the Global South. India has always brought the issues of the Global South to the fore during its interventions made at the previous G7 summits," said an official. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo In the last G7 Summit at Apulia in 2024, PM Modi joined other invited countries in the G7 to discuss critical topics such as AI, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean. "This session was a crucial platform where the G7 and Outreach Countries shared their views and perspectives, furthering the collective effort to address global challenges," said an official. According to Indian authorities, from its initial focus on economic issues, the G7 has gradually become a forum for consultation to find common ground on major global challenges, including peace and security, counter- terrorism , development, education, health, environment and climate change. Modi has in the past raised the issue of terrorism and is again expected to do so, as India looks to galvanise support for its campaign to isolate Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack.
