Rapid Fire
India’s PM Historic Visit to Cyprus
- 17 Jun 2025
- 2 min read
India’s Prime Minister’s visit to Cyprus — the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 23 years — marks a significant step in bolstering bilateral relations, with a focus on energy security, counterterrorism cooperation, and India-EU strategic alignment.
- About Cyprus:
- Location: Cyprus is a Eurasian island country located in the northeast Mediterranean Sea at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
- It is the 3rd largest Mediterranean island after Sicily and Sardinia.
- Historical Background: Cyprus gained independence from Britain in 1960, but the 1974 Turkish invasion led to its partition into the Turkish-controlled north (recognized only by Turkey) and the Republic of Cyprus in the south.
- The UN patrols the Green Line, maintaining peace between the divided regions.
- Political Division: It is politically divided between the Republic of Cyprus (internationally recognized and an European Union (EU) member) and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
- Geography: It has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and wet winters and rainfall critical for agriculture.
- India-Cyprus Relation: India and Cyprus established diplomatic ties in 1962. India supports a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation for the Cyprus issue, in line with UNSC resolutions, and international law.
- Archbishop Makarios (Cyprus's first President) and Pandit Nehru were pioneers of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
- Cyprus’s consistent support for India’s UNSC bid, NSG membership, and stance on Kashmir and terrorism makes India’s engagement with Cyprus a strategic counterbalance to growing Turkey-Pakistan military ties.
| Read More: Cyprus as a Tax Haven |
