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India.com
11 hours ago
- Politics
- India.com
Turkey's sworn enemy, India's friend..., why is Modi govt so interested in Cyprus?
(Image: PTI) New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a two-day visit to Cyprus on June 15-16, which was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in two decades. This visit was part of PM Modi's three-nation visit, which also includes Canada (for the G7 summit) and Croatia. This visit is taking place at a time when tensions are at their peak in West Asia. This visit to Cyprus is strategic as India is trying to reshape its relations in the Mediterranean and Europe and Cyprus is playing an important role in this strategy. This visit took place after 'Operation Sindoor', which is being considered as India's direct message to Turkey. Turkey has long stood with Pakistan and in recent years its role in anti-India activities has increased after which India started strengthening its relations with Cyprus and Greece. India Cyprus relationship Cyprus, located in the Mediterranean, became independent from British rule in 1960. But soon tensions began between Cypriots of Greek and Turkish origin. In 1974, a coup was carried out in Cyprus with the support of Greece's military dictatorship (junta), which aimed to integrate Cyprus with Greece. In response, Turkey launched a military attack on Cyprus, citing the protection of Turkish Cypriots. Although the legitimate government was later restored in Nicosia, capital of Cyprus, Turkish troops remained in the northeastern part of the island. Later that region declared itself the 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' – a political entity recognized only by Ankara. India has consistently supported a solution to this issue under UN resolutions and international law. India has played a major role in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) and three Indian military officers have served as heads of the UN mission. Supporter of India's permanent membership in UNSC Cyprus has been a strong supporter of India's international ambitions. The island nation has publicly supported the proposal to grant India permanent membership in the expanded UN Security Council. In addition, Cyprus has also supported the India-US civil nuclear deal, especially in global regulatory institutions such as the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Strengthening India-Cyprus economic ties Several key economic agreements were signed in the presence of Prime Minister Modi and Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides. The two leaders welcomed the signing of the MoU between NSE International Exchange GIFT City, Gujarat and the Cyprus Stock Exchange. NIPL (NPCI International Payments Limited) and Eurobank Cyprus agreed to launch UPI for cross-border payments between the two countries. The India-Greece-Cyprus (IGC) Trade and Investment Council was also launched. It will promote trilateral cooperation in areas such as shipping, logistics, renewable energy, civil aviation and digital services. The Prime Minister welcomed the fact that many Indian companies see Cyprus as a gateway to Europe and a hub for IT services, financial management and tourism. Hub of investment and trade in Europe for India Cyprus is becoming a hub of investment and trade in Europe for India. Trade between India and Cyprus in the financial year 2023-24 was $ 136.96 million. Medicines, ceramics, steel, textiles and machinery are exported from India, while medicines, beverages and other products come to India from Cyprus. Cyprus plays an important role for India in Europe Cyprus is an important link in India's 'India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)' plan, which connects India to the Middle East and Europe. Apart from this, Cyprus also has marine energy resources, where India wants to cooperate. Due to maritime disputes with Turkey, India wants to strengthen its presence in this region. Cyprus will chair the European Union in 2026, which can help India get strong partners in Europe for the India-Europe Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Defense cooperation between the two countries has been progressing steadily since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defense cooperation in December 2022. Taking it further, the two countries have finalized the Bilateral Defense Cooperation Program (BDCP) for 2025 in Nicosia. Currently, the Indian Defense Advisor (Defense Attache) for Cyprus is posted at the Indian Embassy in Cairo and is handling the responsibility of defense coordination.
Canada Standard
16 hours ago
- Business
- Canada Standard
"I doubt Mr. Modi's advisors are even aware of it": Jairam Ramesh recalls India's historic role in Cyprus' independence
New Delhi [India], June 16 (ANI): Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday highlighted India's pivotal role in supporting Cypriot independence in the 1950s under Jawaharlal Nehru, which he said he doubted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'advisors are even aware of.' The Congress leader's remarks in a social media post come amid the ongoing visit of PM Modi to Cyprus. Ramesh recalled India's leadership at the Afro-Asian Bandung Conference, the close ties between Nehru and Archbishop Makarios III. In a post on X, Jairam questioned whether the current government is even aware of this shared legacy, emphasising the strategic and historical importance of Indo-Cypriot relations. 'The Prime Minister is in Cyprus on his way to Canada. Of course, He would have us believe that it is a pure coincidence that a key figure in the Modani scam has Cypriot citizenship. The Cyprus-based fund New Leaina has reportedly about $420 million in Adani companies. The 'ultimate beneficial owners' of this fund are linked to Amicorp, which is believed to have set up at least seven Adani promoter entities, seventeen offshore shell companies linked to Mr. Vinod Adani, and three Mauritius-based offshore investors in Adani Group stock. All these transactions are part of the ongoing SEBI investigations which have been hampered by lack of sharing of financial information by these and other tax-haven countries and lack of pressure by India,' he said. He recalled that Cyprus gained independence from British rule on August 16, 1960. In the 1950s, India spearheaded the international campaign for the full decolonisation of the island. 'Nehru had, in fact, ensured the participation of the Cypriot leader and freedom fighter Archbishop Makarios III at the historic Afro-Asian Bandung Conference held in Indonesia in late April 1955. Makarios was the only European to attend that summit. Two years later VK Krishna Menon had created a stir at the United Nations in New York by introducing a resolution on Cyprus and by his impassioned speech. Page 1 of the New York Times had carried news of this resolution prominently,' Jairam said. The Congress leader also mentioned that the 'charismatic Archbishop', who became the first President of the Cypriot Republic, himself was to visit New Delhi in November 1962. 'He spent two weeks in India. When Nehru died, a public holiday and a day of mourning was announced on May 27, 1964. In the early 1980s, a busy and scenic road in the Golf Links locality of our capital came to be named after the Archbishop although the signage splits the two words!' he said. Jairam Ramesh also mentioned that the three distinguished Indian army men--Lt. Gen P. S. Gyani, the legendary Gen K. S. Thimayya, and Lt. Gen Dewan Prem Chand--headed the United Nations Force In Cyprus (UNFICYP) between 1964 and 1974. 'Two scholars have just written a fine piece on the UNFICYP that also brings out India's key role in the emergence of the Republic of Cyprus. I doubt that Mr. Modi's advisors are even aware of it,' Jairam Ramesh added. 'In the context of today's geopolitics it is worthwhile to recall that India's championing of the independence of Cyprus in the 1950s and thereafter became a sore point in our bilateral relations with Turkey,' the Congress leader said. In a significant diplomatic outreach, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Cyprus on Sunday afternoon (local time), marking the first-ever visit by an Indian PM to the island nation. The visit is seen as an important stopover ahead of the G7 Summit in Canada and a reflection of India's renewed focus on strengthening ties with European partners. (ANI)
India Gazette
20 hours ago
- Business
- India Gazette
"I doubt Mr. Modi's advisors are even aware of it": Jairam Ramesh recalls India's historic role in Cyprus' independence
New Delhi [India], June 16 (ANI): Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday highlighted India's pivotal role in supporting Cypriot independence in the 1950s under Jawaharlal Nehru, which he said he doubted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'advisors are even aware of.' The Congress leader's remarks in a social media post come amid the ongoing visit of PM Modi to Cyprus. Ramesh recalled India's leadership at the Afro-Asian Bandung Conference, the close ties between Nehru and Archbishop Makarios III. In a post on X, Jairam questioned whether the current government is even aware of this shared legacy, emphasising the strategic and historical importance of Indo-Cypriot relations. 'The Prime Minister is in Cyprus on his way to Canada. Of course, He would have us believe that it is a pure coincidence that a key figure in the Modani scam has Cypriot citizenship. The Cyprus-based fund New Leaina has reportedly about $420 million in Adani companies. The 'ultimate beneficial owners' of this fund are linked to Amicorp, which is believed to have set up at least seven Adani promoter entities, seventeen offshore shell companies linked to Mr. Vinod Adani, and three Mauritius-based offshore investors in Adani Group stock. All these transactions are part of the ongoing SEBI investigations which have been hampered by lack of sharing of financial information by these and other tax-haven countries and lack of pressure by India,' he said. He recalled that Cyprus gained independence from British rule on August 16, 1960. In the 1950s, India spearheaded the international campaign for the full decolonisation of the island. 'Nehru had, in fact, ensured the participation of the Cypriot leader and freedom fighter Archbishop Makarios III at the historic Afro-Asian Bandung Conference held in Indonesia in late April 1955. Makarios was the only European to attend that summit. Two years later VK Krishna Menon had created a stir at the United Nations in New York by introducing a resolution on Cyprus and by his impassioned speech. Page 1 of the New York Times had carried news of this resolution prominently,' Jairam said. The Congress leader also mentioned that the 'charismatic Archbishop', who became the first President of the Cypriot Republic, himself was to visit New Delhi in November 1962. 'He spent two weeks in India. When Nehru died, a public holiday and a day of mourning was announced on May 27, 1964. In the early 1980s, a busy and scenic road in the Golf Links locality of our capital came to be named after the Archbishop although the signage splits the two words!' he said. Jairam Ramesh also mentioned that the three distinguished Indian army men--Lt. Gen P. S. Gyani, the legendary Gen K. S. Thimayya, and Lt. Gen Dewan Prem Chand--headed the United Nations Force In Cyprus (UNFICYP) between 1964 and 1974. 'Two scholars have just written a fine piece on the UNFICYP that also brings out India's key role in the emergence of the Republic of Cyprus. I doubt that Mr. Modi's advisors are even aware of it,' Jairam Ramesh added. 'In the context of today's geopolitics it is worthwhile to recall that India's championing of the independence of Cyprus in the 1950s and thereafter became a sore point in our bilateral relations with Turkey,' the Congress leader said. In a significant diplomatic outreach, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Cyprus on Sunday afternoon (local time), marking the first-ever visit by an Indian PM to the island nation. The visit is seen as an important stopover ahead of the G7 Summit in Canada and a reflection of India's renewed focus on strengthening ties with European partners. (ANI)
