Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 17: BJP J&K spokesperson Gaurav Gupta has termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to Cyprus as a defining moment in India’s foreign policy, asserting that it delivers a strong message to Turkey and reinforces India’s global diplomatic posture.
Gupta highlighted that Modi’s visit – the first by an Indian PM in 23 years – comes in the wake of Turkey’s vocal support for Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. “The timing is deliberate and strategic,” said Gupta, adding that the PM’s presence near the UN-monitored Green Line, separating Cyprus from Turkish-occupied Northern Cyprus, sends a silent yet powerful message. “India will respond to provocation with strategic precision,” he said, stressing that if Turkey raises Kashmir, India too can raise the issue of Northern Cyprus.
Gupta praised the strong Indo-Cypriot ties, especially Cyprus’s consistent support to India on global platforms, including Kashmir, counter-terrorism, and UN reforms. He called the bilateral bond a model of mutual respect and cooperation.
On the economic front, Gupta welcomed Eurobank’s decision to open a representative office in Mumbai, terming it a “transformational step” that would strengthen India’s trade ties with Europe. He underscored Cyprus’s role as a potential gateway for Indian businesses into the EU and highlighted its strategic importance in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). He also pointed to the upcoming EU-India Free Trade Agreement and Cyprus’s 2026 EU Council presidency as key opportunities for deeper cooperation.
Energy collaboration was also flagged as a priority, with Gupta advocating stronger Indo-Cypriot ties in natural gas exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean to bolster India’s energy security.
The visit was marked by a ceremonial high when Cyprus president Nikos Christodoulides conferred the country’s highest civilian honour – the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III – upon PM Modi. Modi dedicated the honour to the people of India and the enduring friendship between the two nations.
Gupta concluded that the visit signals a confident India asserting its interests globally while promoting peace and mutual respect.
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