Larnaca: India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to arrive in Cyprus on Sunday for a two-day official visit, a development described by the government as ‘historic’. President Nikos Christodoulides will greet Prime Minister Modi at the ‘Glafcos Clerides’ International Airport in Larnaca. The leaders will then travel to Limassol to attend a roundtable discussion with businesspeople from India and Cyprus, followed by an informal working dinner.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis highlighted the significance of the visit, characterizing it as a strategic investment in the future of both nations amidst a redefined geo-economic map in the region. Cyprus aims to position itself as a gateway for Indian businesses to the European market, aligning with the broader strategy of becoming a hub for capital, technology, and innovation between Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. India is seen as a crucial partner in this endeavor.
On Monday, Prime Minister Modi will be formally received at the Presidential Palace, where he will meet with President Christodoulides and receive the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III. Extensive discussions between the delegations will follow, addressing bilateral relations and potential areas for strengthening cooperation, particularly in the fields of economy, trade, infrastructure, and investment.
The talks will also cover EU-India relations, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), developments in the Middle East and South Asia, and the Cyprus issue. The leaders will later visit Nicosia City Hall and take a walk along the ceasefire line. The visit will conclude with an official lunch hosted by the President in honor of Prime Minister Modi at the Presidential Palace, after which Modi will depart from Cyprus.