Warm welcome for PM Narendra Modi in Cyprus

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Cyprus on Sunday, kicking off a three-nation tour to Canada and Croatia. He will hold formal talks during the two-day visit. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Cyprus in two decades. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties and explore ways to further deepen cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, security and technology. In the pictures shared by PM Modi on Twitter, he can be seen being warmly received by Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides at the airport.
"Landed in Cyprus. My gratitude to the President of Cyprus, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, for the special reception he received at the airport. This visit will significantly boost India-Cyprus relations, especially in the areas of trade and investment," PM Modi wrote after landing in the country.
In a travel statement issued before his departure from New Delhi, Modi described Cyprus as a "close friend and key partner in the Mediterranean region and the European Union". He added that the visit is an opportunity to build on the historic friendship between the two countries and promote people-to-people exchanges.

A key focus of the visit is the potential that Cyprus can hold in the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC). The corridor, which aims to connect India with Europe via the Middle East via sea and rail, is part of India's broader strategy to enhance global trade relations.

During the visit, Prime Minister Modi will hold official talks with President Christodoulides in the capital Nicosia. He will also address business leaders in Limassol to promote closer economic cooperation.