From Cyprus, PM Modi on war next door: Need talks for resolution and stability

Indian Express

3 hours ago

Meeting in Nicosia as Israel and Iran target each other with air strikes and missiles in the neighbourhood, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides 'expressed concern' Monday over the ongoing conflicts in West Asia and Europe, and said 'this is not an era of war'.
The first Indian Prime Minister to visit Cyprus in 23 years, Modi said a 'resolution through dialogue and restoration of stability is the call of humanity'.
Acknowledging emerging challenges within the international security environment, the joint statement on the visit said that the leaders stressed the importance of enhancing strategic autonomy, defence readiness and defence capabilities.
'They agreed to deepen their defence and security cooperation, including through collaboration between their respective defence industries, with a special focus on cybersecurity and emerging technologies,' the joint statement said.
Cyprus is a regional rival of Turkey and is also going to chair the EU Council in 2026. Given India's recent acrimony with Turkey over its military support to Pakistan, Delhi's Cyprus outreach is a significant move.
'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.
'We are thankful for Cyprus's support to India's fight against cross-border terrorism,' he said.
This is his first foreign visit after India conducted Operation Sindoor in May during which it targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
President Christodoulides said, 'We have a historic friendship, and there is trust in ties.' He recalled the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and said Cyprus stands in 'full solidarity' with India.
Cyprus 'stands with India in its fight against terrorism' in all forms and manifestations, he said.
The joint statement said, 'Cyprus and India unequivocally condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including international and cross-border terrorism, and reaffirmed their shared commitment to countering hybrid threats that undermine peace and stability.'
It said Cyprus expressed solidarity and unwavering support to India in its fight against cross-border terrorism.
'The two leaders strongly condemned the gruesome killing of civilians in the recent heinous terrorist attacks in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, India. They reiterated their zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, rejecting any justification for such acts, under any circumstances. They emphasised that those responsible for the attacks should be held accountable,' it said.
'The leaders urged all States to respect the sovereignty of other nations and condemned cross-border terrorism in all its forms. They called for the disruption of terrorism financing networks, elimination of safe havens, dismantling of terrorist infrastructure, and bringing perpetrators of terrorism to justice swiftly. Emphasising the need for a comprehensive, coordinated, and sustained approach to combating terrorism across borders, they underscored the importance of working collaboratively, bilaterally and with the multilateral system,' it said.
Both leaders, the statement said, reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening multilateral efforts to combat terrorism and called for the expeditious finalisation and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism within the UN framework. They urged for concerted actions against all UN-designated and EU-designated terrorists and terrorist entities, associated proxy groups, facilitators, and sponsors, including terrorists under 1267 UNSC Sanctions Committee.
They reiterated their strong commitment to continue taking active measures to disrupt terrorist financing channels including through the UN and Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
Christodoulides also referred to the June 12 Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad and said the people of Cyprus are with India in this time of grief.
Modi said his visit was a 'golden opportunity' to write a new chapter in India-Cyprus bilateral ties.
He was accorded a ceremonial welcome on his arrival at the Presidential Palace on Monday.
During the joint press conference, 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.
In his remarks, the Prime Minister asserted 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.
Underlining the shared values of the two countries and the future trajectory of bilateral ties, Modi said, 'Together, we will shape the future.'
He said Cyprus is also a choice tourist destination for Indians, and efforts will be made for direct air connectivity between the two sides.
'We also discussed how to deepen cultural linkages. Yoga and Ayurveda are gaining popularity in Cyprus, which is gladdening to see. Tourism is another area where there is rich potential. We also deliberated on how to improve connectivity,' he said.
The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) and India-EU ties also figured in their talks.
'We are both convinced about the transformative potential of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. This Corridor will boost peace and prosperity in the region,' Modi said.
He invited the Cyprus President to visit India.
Modi was also conferred the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III of Cyprus, the country's highest civilian honour.
'Humbled to receive the 'Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III' of Cyprus. I dedicate it to the friendship between our nations,' Modi said after receiving the award.
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.
Dedicating the award to the 1.4 billion people of India, Modi said it was an award to the trusted India-Cyprus friendship.
'I am confident that in the time to come, our active partnership will touch new heights. Together, we will not only strengthen the progress of our two nations but also contribute towards building a peaceful and secure world,' he said.
The Cyprus award brings the total tally of international honours conferred upon the Prime Minister to 23.
Modi noted the award was a recognition of India's age-old philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' or 'The World is One Family' that guides its vision for global peace and progress, a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said.
Shubhajit Roy, Diplomatic Editor at The Indian Express, has been a journalist for more than 25 years now. Roy joined The Indian Express in October 2003 and has been reporting on foreign affairs for more than 17 years now. Based in Delhi, he has also led the National government and political bureau at The Indian Express in Delhi — a team of reporters who cover the national government and politics for the newspaper. He has got the Ramnath Goenka Journalism award for Excellence in Journalism '2016. He got this award for his coverage of the Holey Bakery attack in Dhaka and its aftermath. He also got the IIMCAA Award for the Journalist of the Year, 2022, (Jury's special mention) for his coverage of the fall of Kabul in August 2021 — he was one of the few Indian journalists in Kabul and the only mainstream newspaper to have covered the Taliban's capture of power in mid-August, 2021. ... Read More