Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Croatia and Cyprus during his upcoming tour to Canada for G7 summit, sources stated on Monday. PM Modi, while on his way to Canada, will first stop in Cyprus and visit Croatia on his return journey. With this, he will become the first Prime Minister to visit Croatia since its formation in 1991 after the dissolution of former Yugoslavia. Notably, PM Modi was earlier scheduled to visit Croatia last month, but it was postponed due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.
Cyprus and Croatia are members of the European Union (EU) and PM’s visit is significant as Cyprus will hold the rotating presidency of the EU Council for the first half of 2026. Moreover, his visits to both the countries are considered important from political and commercial perspectives. PM Modi’s Cyprus visit is seen as a strategic message to Türkiye, which supported Pakistan during India’s Operation Sindoor. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had firmly backed Pakistan- a stance that wasn’t taken by India in good light.
Notably, there is a long-standing conflict between Cyprus and Turkey, which is rooted in ethnic, political and territorial disputes. It dates back to 1960, when Cyprus had gained independence from Britain. Cyprus is a Mediterranean island nation divided between Greek Cypriots (majority) and Turkish Cypriots (minority). However, things turned tumultuous when in July 1974, a coup backed by the Greek military junta aimed to unify Cyprus with Greece. This resulted in Turkey invading Cyprus, citing its role as a guarantor power under the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee. Turkish forces took control of about 37% of the island’s north, leading to the de facto partition of Cyprus into: The Republic of Cyprus (south) and the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) – recognized only by Turkey.
Why Is It Crucial Amid Turkey-India Strains?
Also, Cyprus had condemned the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 and indicate that it would raise the issue of cross-border terrorism at EU-level discussion. This cemented Indo-Cypriot ties and further strengthened India’s diplomatic reach.
Moreover, Cyprus’s upcoming presidency of the EU Council positions it as a key player in shaping EU priorities, which includes foreign policy and security. Therefore, strengthening ties with Cyprus at this point allows India to potentially influence EU discussions on issues like terrorism and global south representation.
PM Modi will participate in the last day of the G7 session that will take place at Kananaskis in Alberta from June 15 to 17.
Also Read: ‘Go Back!’: British Bangladeshis Stage Protest Against Interim Leader Muhammad Yunus In London
