Modi Positions Cyprus as India’s Gateway to Europe
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the island nation of Cyprus as a reliable partner and a strategic gateway to Europe for India’s expanding global economic ambitions. This came during his official visit to Cyprus on June 15.
This visit, his first to Cyprus and the first by any Indian prime minister in over two decades, comes at a critical time as both countries seek to broaden their bilateral engagement across sectors.
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| Image Source: PM on X |
In Limassol, Modi held talks with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and participated in a business roundtable attended by leading industry figures from both nations, representing sectors such as banking, financial services, defense, logistics, maritime, IT, artificial intelligence, fintech, tourism, and innovation.
Delighted to meet FM @ckombos of Cyprus on my arrival at Larnaca.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 15, 2025
Confident that PM @narendramodi’s visit to Cyprus will deepen our longstanding bilateral ties and the India - EU partnership.
🇮🇳 🇨🇾 pic.twitter.com/qHUCrULY71
Addressing the roundtable, Modi emphasized India’s transformation into the world’s fastest-growing major economy, propelled by stable governance, policy reforms, and an increasingly business-friendly environment.
He spoke of India’s rapid progress in next-generation sectors like AI, semiconductors, quantum computing, green development, and critical minerals, and underlined the growing potential for Cyprus to serve as a bridge for Indian companies entering the European market.
Modi also highlighted India’s thriving startup ecosystem, skilled workforce, and the steady rise in civil aviation, shipbuilding, and digital payments, all of which open new avenues for partnership.
Εδώ, στο νοτιοανατολικό άκρο της ΕΕ, στις ακτές της Μεσογείου, η Κύπρος στέκει ως φάρος σταθερότητας και ασφαλές λιμάνι στην ευρύτερη περιοχή.
— Προεδρία της ΚΔ (@CYpresidency) June 15, 2025
Βρισκόμαστε σε ένα σημείο καμπής για τη διεθνή γεωπολιτική σκηνή, αλλά και ευκαιρία εμβάθυνσης των διμερών σχέσεων Κύπρου και Ινδίας.… pic.twitter.com/wwtHyaD1KW
Cyprus remains an important foreign direct investment partner for India, and both leaders expressed a strong desire to deepen this cooperation. Key agreements were signed during the visit to strengthen financial market integration and digital payment systems.
The NSE International Exchange Gift City signed a memorandum of understanding with the Cyprus Stock Exchange to enable cross-border capital flows, marking the first such arrangement between Europe and India’s GIFT City. In a significant development for businesses and travelers, NPCI International Payments Limited partnered with Eurobank Cyprus to introduce India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for cross-border transactions.
Modi also welcomed the establishment of the India–Greece–Cyprus Business and Investment Council, which aims to promote collaboration in sectors such as shipping, renewable energy, civil aviation, and digital services. Many Indian companies already view Cyprus as a favorable location for IT services, financial management, and tourism operations that provide access to broader European markets.
Distinct pleasure to welcome @DrSJaishankar to Cyprus, for the historic visit of Prime Minister @narendramodi.
— Constantinos Kombos (@ckombos) June 15, 2025
This visit reflects the enduring friendship between Cyprus and India and our shared commitment to strengthening 🇨🇾-🇮🇳 ties through diplomacy, dialogue, and mutual… pic.twitter.com/O1AmEtluXg
As Cyprus prepares to assume the Presidency of the EU Council next year, both leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening the India-EU Strategic Partnership. Modi voiced optimism that negotiations on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement could conclude by the end of the year, which would further elevate trade and investment ties.
Concluding his remarks, Modi said the business roundtable had produced valuable, practical suggestions that would help define a structured roadmap for long-term cooperation across multiple sectors.