Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reiterated his message that "this is not an era of war" during a joint press conference with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides, as the two leaders expressed concern over the ongoing conflicts in West Asia and Europe.
Speaking after wide-ranging bilateral talks in Nicosia, Modi emphasized that humanity needs peace and stability, stressing the importance of dialogue over confrontation. “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 Prime Minister is in Cyprus on the first leg of his three-nation foreign tour. This marks the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Mediterranean island nation in over two decades. Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Presidential Palace upon his arrival on Monday. In his address, Prime Minister Modi also expressed gratitude to Cyprus for its consistent support to India in combating cross-border terrorism. “We are thankful for Cyprus’s support to India's fight against cross-border terrorism,” he said.
This is also Modi’s first international trip since India launched Operation Sindoor in May, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir in response to the deadly April 22 Pahalgam attack.
President Christodoulides, in his remarks, reaffirmed Cyprus’s solidarity with India in its battle against terrorism. He recalled the Pahalgam terror attack and offered condolences for the June 12 Air India crash in Ahmedabad, saying, “The people of Cyprus stand with India in this time of grief.” Highlighting the deep-rooted relationship between the two countries, Christodoulides said, “We have a historic friendship, and there is trust in ties.”
During the bilateral talks, both leaders discussed a broad spectrum of areas to enhance India-Cyprus cooperation—including defence, security, trade, technology, healthcare, renewable energy, and climate justice. Regional and global developments were also reviewed. Modi called his visit a "golden opportunity" to chart a new course in bilateral relations, noting that mutual trust, democratic values, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity are the cornerstones of the partnership.
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“Our ties are neither made by circumstances nor limited. We respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the Prime Minister stated. “Together, we will shape the future.” Modi was accompanied during the talks by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.
Shortly after his arrival in Cyprus on Sunday, Modi had posted on X, “This visit will add significant momentum to India-Cyprus relations, especially in areas like trade, investment and more.” Cultural and people-to-people connections also featured in the discussions. Modi noted the growing popularity of yoga and Ayurveda in Cyprus and expressed optimism about enhancing tourism and connectivity between the two nations.
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“Cyprus is a popular tourist destination for Indians. We also discussed efforts to establish direct air connectivity. Tourism holds immense potential,” Modi added. The two leaders also discussed the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), with Modi underlining its transformative potential.
“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,” he said. In addition, the India-EU partnership and regional dynamics were part of the strategic conversations.
President Christodoulides brought up the long-standing Cyprus issue, expressing gratitude to India for supporting the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Referring to Turkiye’s occupation of northern Cyprus, he said, “We also discussed the Cyprus issue with the Prime Minister. We extend the gratitude of the Republic of Cyprus to India and its people for their support.” To conclude, Prime Minister Modi invited President Christodoulides to visit India, signaling the growing warmth and strategic depth in India-Cyprus ties.
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