Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Cyprus on Sunday, June 15, marking the start of his first overseas trip since the launch of Operation Sindoor, a military offensive targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK. The visit to Cyprus is the first by an Indian Prime Minister in over 20 years, highlighting renewed diplomatic and strategic interest in the Mediterranean region.
PM Modi was warmly welcomed at the airport by Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides. Over the next two days, the leaders will hold bilateral discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, security, and emerging technologies. Modi described Cyprus as an important friend and partner within the European Union and emphasized the visit as a step toward deepening historical ties and promoting people-to-people connections.
Following his Cyprus visit, Modi will travel to Canada on June 16 to attend the G7 Summit in Kananaskis. His participation at the summit comes at a delicate time for India-Canada relations, strained since 2023 over the Khalistani separatist issue. This trip will be Modi’s first to Canada since that diplomatic fallout. Despite earlier speculation that he might skip the event, his attendance reaffirms India’s commitment to key global forums.
The G7 Summit will provide a platform for Modi to voice India’s perspective on major international challenges, including energy security, climate action, and global technology cooperation. His presence also signals India’s continued relevance in shaping multilateral decisions, even amid strained bilateral equations.
On June 18, the final leg of the Prime Minister’s tour will take him to Croatia, marking the first-ever visit by an Indian PM to the Eastern European nation. Modi is scheduled to meet Croatian President Zoran Milanovic and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic. Discussions are expected to focus on boosting ties in sectors such as trade, tourism, healthcare, and digital innovation. Modi also acknowledged the shared cultural heritage between the two nations and expressed optimism about forging deeper partnerships.
In a statement before departure, PM Modi said the trip was not only about strengthening bilateral ties but also a gesture of gratitude toward partner countries for supporting India’s efforts against cross-border terrorism. He also underlined the importance of creating a united front against global terrorism and building stronger strategic alliances for peace and development. This five-day, three-nation diplomatic mission underscores India's evolving role on the global stage, combining traditional partnerships with proactive foreign policy outreach in sensitive geopolitical contexts.
