Latest news with #theOrderofMakariosIII
Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- Politics
- 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.'
News18
a day ago
- Business
- News18
PM Modi Sees Tourism Potential In Cyprus As 'Boycott Turkey' Sentiment Grows After Op Sindoor
Last Updated: Not just tourism, the two leaders also explored ways to boost connectivity between the two nations Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held talks with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides and emphasized that there is 'rich potential" in the tourism sector. The Prime Minister's remark carries significance as Cyprus is a neighbour of Turkey, which supported Pakistan during India's Operation Sindoor and reportedly provided arms and ammunition to the cash-strapped nation. In response, scores of Indians on social media have called for a boycott of Turkey, a country that receives thousands of Indian tourists every year. '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," PM Modi wrote in a post on X after the meeting. President Nikos Christodoulides and I held wide-ranging talks, covering the full range of India-Cyprus relations. It's widely known that bilateral ties between our nations are time-tested. Today, we talked about cooperation in areas like defence, security, trade, technology,… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 16, 2025 Beyond tourism, the two leaders also explored ways to boost connectivity, knowledge and innovation linkages between the two nations. PM Modi also thanked Christodoulides for Cyprus' strong condemnation of the barbaric terrorist attack in Pahalgam and the solidarity and support extended to India in its fight against terrorism. This underlines the strong commitment of both countries to counter-terrorism. The two leaders reaffirmed the shared values that underpin India-Cyprus relations. They reiterated support for respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each other, read a statement from the Indian Prime Minister's Office. PM Modi's Cyprus Visit PM Modi arrived in Cyprus on the first leg of his three-nation tour. After Cyprus, he is scheduled to visit Canada for the G7 summit, followed by a trip to Croatia. During his visit, PM Modi was honoured with the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III, the highest civilian award in Cyprus. 'Humbled to receive the 'Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III' of Cyprus. I dedicate it to the friendship between our nations," the Prime Minister said after accepting the honour. The Order of Makarios III, named after Cyprus's first President Archbishop Makarios III, is the nation's most prestigious knighthood. Dedicating the award to the 1.4 billion people of India, Modi said it symbolised the enduring trust and friendship between India and Cyprus. 'I am confident that in the times ahead, our vibrant partnership will reach new heights. Together, we will not only advance the progress of our nations but also contribute to building a peaceful and secure world," he added.
News18
a day ago
- Politics
- News18
‘Not The Era Of War': PM Modi Reiterates Peace Call, Urges Dialogue Amid Israel-Iran Crisis
Last Updated: PM Modi, who is on a tour to Cyprus, coined the phrase "Not The Era Of War" months after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 Expressing concerns over heightened tensions in West Asia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday called for dialogue between Israel and Iran and said a solution through dialogue and restoration of stability is the call of humanity. PM Modi, who is on a tour to Cyprus, coined the phrase 'Not The Era Of War" months after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. 'We expressed worry over the ongoing conflicts in West Asia and Europe. Their (conflicts) negative impact is not just limited to that region. We believe this is not an era of war. Solution through dialogue and restoration of stability is the call of humanity," the PM said. Earlier in the day, PM Modi held delegation-level talks with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides to discuss a range of issues to boost the bilateral ties. This is the first visit of an Indian prime minister to Cyprus in over two decades. Modi is in Cyprus on the first leg of his three-nation tour. From Cyprus, he will travel to Canada to attend the G7 summit, and then to Croatia. The Prime Minister was conferred with 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," the prime minister 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," the prime minister said. Location : Cyprus First Published: June 16, 2025, 14:52 IST
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'For 1.4 billion Indians': PM Modi receives Order of Makarios III award; highest honour in Cyprus
PM Modi and Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides NEW DELHI: Cyprus on Monday honoured Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III, the highest honour in the island country. Click here for live updates on PM Modi's foreign visit Accepting the award, PM Modi thanked the Cyprus government, and remarked that his Grand Cross belongs to all 1.4 billion Indians. "Humbled to receive the 'Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III' of Cyprus. I dedicate it to the friendship between our nations," PM Modi said. — narendramodi (@narendramodi) The prime minister is in Cyprus as part of a three-nation visit. His next destination is Canada, where he will attend the G7 Summit . In the final leg of his tour, the PM will stop in Croatia. Also Read | PM Modi on key 3-nation tour: Cyprus, Canada, Croatia on itinerary; what's on his agenda? This is PM Modi's first foreign visit post May's Operation Sindoor - India's precision strikes on terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation, India's retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, triggered military hostilities with Pakistan. After four days of clashes, Pakistan, on May 10, reached out to India for ceasefire. This led to cessation of hostilities. Also Read | 'A message to Turkey': Why PM Modi's trip to Cyprus is significant The prime minister's Cyprus visit, only the third by an Indian PM and the first since 2002, assumes significance due to the host nation's long-standing conflict with Turkey. During the India-Pakistan clashes, the latter used both Turkish and Chinese drones, which were successfully intercepted by India's air defence systems.
