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In a landmark diplomatic gesture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the United Nations-administered Buffer Zone in Cyprus—commonly known as the Green Line—alongside Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides. The move, made just ahead of the G7 Summit in Canada, underscores India’s firm support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus while simultaneously sending a pointed message to Türkiye amid rising regional tensions.
A Historic Visit to a Divided Land
Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to physically set foot in the UN-controlled demilitarized zone, which has separated the Republic of Cyprus from the Turkish-occupied north since 1974. The Turkish incursion and occupation—recognized only by Türkiye—remain among Europe’s longest-standing geopolitical flashpoints.
At this symbolically charged location, President Christodoulides briefed Modi on the status of the Turkish occupation and Cyprus’ ongoing diplomatic efforts for peaceful reunification in line with United Nations resolutions. The visit reasserted India’s commitment to international law, multilateralism, and principled diplomacy.
In their joint statement, both leaders reaffirmed their support for a comprehensive and peaceful resolution to the Cyprus issue in accordance with the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions—an unmistakable diplomatic rebuke of unilateralism and territorial aggression.
A Legacy of Indian Support
India’s solidarity with Cyprus is neither new nor transactional in nature. It dates back to the early decades of both nations’ post-colonial statehood. Indian military stalwarts, such as Lt. Gen. Dewan Prem Chand and Gen. K.S. Thimayya, once led UN peacekeeping missions on the island, making significant contributions that were formally acknowledged by Cyprus, including the issuance of a commemorative stamp in 1966.
Modi’s visit paid tribute to this legacy, renewing India’s moral and strategic commitment to Cyprus and reaffirming a friendship grounded in shared values: respect for sovereignty, peaceful conflict resolution, and global cooperation.
The Türkiye-Pakistan Axis: A Widening Rift
The visit also gains significance amid growing Türkiye-Pakistan strategic ties—an evolving alliance that New Delhi views with deep concern. Türkiye has repeatedly sided with Pakistan on contentious issues, including attempting to internationalize the Kashmir dispute and offering direct military and drone support to Islamabad.
These concerns intensified following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 Indian tourists. As India mourned, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was seen embracing Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Ankara—a moment that ignited widespread outrage across India.
Reports of Türkiye providing drone and military aid to Pakistan in the aftermath only deepened tensions. India responded by terminating a civil aviation contract with Turkish firm Çelebi Aviation—a rare instance of open economic retaliation.
A Broader Geopolitical Context
Modi’s Cyprus stopover en route to the G7 Summit is no mere coincidence. It comes amid a fast-shifting geopolitical landscape: the Iran-Israel conflict, expanding India-Greece military ties, and the recalibration of Mediterranean alliances. Against this backdrop, Modi’s visit signals that India will actively counter attempts to destabilize its interests—especially by powers that align with its regional adversaries.
Much like Israel turning to Cyprus as a strategic fallback during its confrontation with Iran, India is forging deeper bonds with Mediterranean democracies that stand with it on global platforms—from counterterrorism to Kashmir.
Cyprus: A Steadfast Diplomatic Partner
Cyprus has long been a reliable ally of India. From supporting New Delhi’s nuclear policy in 1998 to consistently opposing Pakistan-sponsored narratives on Kashmir, Nicosia has stood firm in backing India’s core interests. In return, India has championed Cyprus’ cause at the United Nations and other international forums, opposing Türkiye’s occupation and advocating for a lawful and peaceful resolution.
Prime Minister Modi’s unprecedented visit to the Cyprus Buffer Zone marks more than a symbolic act—it is a calculated geopolitical signal. In aligning more closely with Cyprus, India is reinforcing its red lines in the region and reminding both friends and rivals that it stands resolute in defending sovereignty, stability, and international norms—whether in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, or South Asia.
Huma Siddiqui
