PM Modi Thanks Cyprus For Support Against Cross-Border Terror, Backing India's UNSC Bid

Last Updated:June 16, 2025, 15:05 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked Cyprus for its "continued support" to India in its fight against cross-border terrorism.

PM Modi (Photo: YouTube/ Narendra Modi)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday extended gratitude to Cyprus, in his first foreign visit since Operation Sindoor, for its “continued support" in New Delhi’s fight against cross-border terrorism.

His remarks pointed to the terrorism emanating from Pakistan into Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of the country.

PM Modi Thanks Cyprus For Support Against Terrorism

“We are grateful for Cyprus’s continued support in India’s fight against cross-border terrorism. To prevent terrorism, drugs, and arms smuggling, a mechanism for real-time information exchange will be developed between our agencies," PM Modi said, during a joint press statement with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides after holding a bilateral meeting in Nicosia.

The Prime Minister also raised the issue of the ongoing war between Israel and Iran in West Asia and reiterated his famous quote, “This is not an era of war."

“We expressed worry over the ongoing conflicts in West Asia and Europe. We believe this is not an era of war," he said while referring to, but without naming Israel-Iran war.

PM Modi thanked Cyprus for its support for India’s permanent membership at the United Nations Security Council.

“We share similar views on the necessary reforms to make the United Nations more contemporary. We are grateful to Cyprus for supporting India’s bid for permanent membership in the UN Security Council," he said.

Notably, Cyprus has backed India to be made a permanent member of the UNSC. Cyprus is among the countries that explicitly and openly support India’s bid for a permanent seat. While major powers like the US, UK, and France have backed India’s candidacy, China has remained hesitant.

Why Is PM Modi’s Visit To Cyprus Significant?

PM Modi’s visit to Cyprus holds significance amid strained ties with Turkey, which backed Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. Ankara’s position after the Pahalgam terror attack triggered outrage in India, and calls for a boycott of Turkey picked up pace.

The Turkey–Cyprus conflict stems from deep-rooted ethnic, political, and territorial disputes. Cyprus gained independence from Britain in 1960, but tensions between Greek and Turkish Cypriots escalated, culminating in a 1974 coup by Greek nationalists seeking union with Greece. In response, Turkey invaded the north, citing the need to protect Turkish Cypriots. Since then, Cyprus has remained divided, with the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus controlling the south and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus—recognised only by Turkey—in the north.

Efforts to reunify the island through UN-backed talks have repeatedly failed. A major point of contention is Turkey’s military presence in the north and Ankara’s refusal to recognise the Republic of Cyprus. More recently, disputes over offshore natural gas exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean have reignited tensions, with Turkey challenging Cyprus’s maritime rights.

Ashesh Mallick

Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes...Read More

Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes...

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News world PM Modi Thanks Cyprus For Support Against Cross-Border Terror, Backing India's UNSC Bid