Cyprus Minister Lauds PM Modi For Visiting Green Line, Lashes Out At 'Occupier' Turkey

Last Updated:October 31, 2025, 10:39 IST

Cyprus FM Constantinos Kombos says ‘struggle against occupier Turkey continues’ as he lauds PM Modi’s symbolic Green Line visit.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meets Foreign Affairs Minister of the Republic of Cyprus, Constantinos Kombos, in New Delhi. (IMAGE: PTI)

Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, in an exclusive interview with CNN-News18, said that Nicosia was among the first to back New Delhi during Operation Sindoor and had condemned the April Pahalgam attacks.

Kombos on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Green Line in Cyprus was a “powerful image" that carried “strong symbolism" and should be projected to the world.

The Green Line, patrolled by the United Nations, divides the Republic of Cyprus from Turkish-occupied Northern Cyprus — a region Ankara seized in 1974 and continues to control through troops stationed there.

PM Modi’s stop at the buffer zone came at a time when India–Turkey relations remain strained, especially after Ankara’s diplomatic and arms support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, India’s major counterterror offensive earlier this year.

By visiting Cyprus — a country that has consistently backed India on Kashmir and supported New Delhi in global forums — PM Modi underlined India’s alignment with nations that uphold sovereignty and international law.

“I think the visit was historic. There was a strong symbolism from those images. For us, it’s our daily reality. We are living with the occupier," Kombos said, referring to Turkey.

“The occupier has been there for 51 years. It’s a powerful image that we should continue projecting to the world, that this is still happening. India, being a global leader, it was very important for the Prime Minister to see with his own eyes what we have been facing all this time."

Kombos said India and Cyprus were “natural allies" with a partnership rooted in mutual respect and shared principles. “The occupation of a third of our island by Turkey remains central to our existence, and we expect our allies to understand and support that reality. Prime Minister Modi has done exactly that."

The Cypriot Foreign Minister also highlighted that his country extended full support to India in its fight against terror.

“India has been a strong supporter of Cyprus in relation to issues stemming from the Turkish invasion and occupation of a third of the island. So, we have been fully supportive and expressed our strong solidarity towards India from the very first moment," he said, adding that Nicosia extended support and condolences following the attack on civilians in Pahalgam.

“For us, it’s a matter of principle that anything related to terrorism cannot be tolerated. We should never distinguish between terrorists and those financing or supporting them — there can be no difference," he said.

“We don’t forget. We continue to fight and struggle and try in every way possible to protect our country from this very dark shadow that exists."

‘Serious Issue With Turkey’

Kombos said his visit to New Delhi focused on reviewing the joint action plan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides. He added that India–Cyprus cooperation stands on its own merits and is not driven by any third party.

“It has its own value, its own merits. It has to do with trade, with the economy, with mutual interests. And of course, that includes the defence sector as well — and yes, we have a serious issue with Turkey," he said.

“Turkey is the aggressor, the invader, the occupier. We are trying to build up our alliances to continue defending our sovereign territorial integrity. India is at the top of our priorities. Cyprus plays a crucial role in the European Union due to its strategic location, acting as a bridge between Europe and the Middle East," he added.

Cyprus also serves as a critical node in the proposed India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), offering New Delhi a potential gateway to the European Union. The island nation is set to assume the EU Council presidency in 2026.

IMEEC Corridor and Defence Cooperation

Defence cooperation has become a central pillar of India–Cyprus ties, with both sides exploring joint work in production, procurement and training.

“The collaboration between our militaries is extremely useful and important for our mutual benefit," Kombos said, noting that the partnership fits within the European Union’s broader move toward strategic autonomy in defence.

On IMEEC, he acknowledged that “some powers" might view the corridor competitively but stressed that it should be seen as complementary. “It’s not about competing; it’s about adding layers of possibilities," he said, calling the project a logical step in strengthening links between India, the Gulf, and Europe.

Jaishankar’s Special Gesture

Kombos said he was “deeply appreciative" of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s attendance at his lecture in New Delhi, describing it as both personally meaningful and diplomatically significant.

“Minister Jaishankar is a leader in diplomacy globally and a person I respect deeply and a great thinker and doer," Kombos said. He added that Jaishankar’s presence was “a strong indication of the right direction in which our bilateral relationship has been heading," underscoring India’s support for Cyprus even as no Indian representative attended Turkey’s National Day event held around the same time.

Shankhyaneel Sarkar

Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has covered se...Read More

Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has covered se...

Read More

News world Cyprus Minister Lauds PM Modi For Visiting Green Line, Lashes Out At 'Occupier' Turkey

Read More