Rama Krishna Sangem
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a habit of cultivating personal relations with foreign heads of governments. Besides heartily hugging to offering exotic gifts to the presidents, PMs and their wives is his style of diplomacy. That works well too.
Modi who is on an official visit to Cyprus, has gifted a Silver Clutch Purse to Philippa Karsera, the First Lady of Cyprus, Philippa Karsera. The purse from Andhra Pradesh combines traditional metal work with modern style. It is made using the repouss technique and has detailed floral designs inspired by temple and royal art.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also gifted a Kashmiri Silk Carpet to the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides. This particular piece, in deep red with fawn and red borders, features traditional vine and geometric motifs. It showcases the prized two-tone effect, appearing to change colours based on the viewing angle and lighting, creating the illusion of two different carpets in one.
Prime Minister Modi has expressed his gratitude to Cyprus’s President for showing him the historic city of Nicosia. Taking to X, he wrote, “Gratitude to President Christodoulides for showing me parts of the very historic city of Nicosia. We look forward to closer people-to-people linkages with Cyprus!”
Following his visit to Cyprus, Prime Minister Modi left for Canada, where he will attend the 51st G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta.
Cyprus backed India
Prime Minister Modi’s first post-Operation Sindoor visit to Cyprus could be a strategic message amid deepening Turkey-Pakistan ties. After the April 22 terror attack, Cyprus backed India and vowed to raise the issue of cross-border terrorism at the EU level, highlighting a growing alignment which now extends to trade, energy, and EU cooperation.
The visit comes at the invitation of Cypriot President Nicos Christodoulides, with PM Modi accompanied by a delegation of around 100 officials. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Cyprus in over two decades; the last two visits were by Indira Gandhi in 1982 and Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2002. Despite historical ties between the two nations, such high-level engagements have been rare.
During his visit, PM Modi held bilateral talks with President Christodoulides in the capital, Nicosia, and addressed business leaders in the port city of Limassol. Here’s why the visit is significant, strategically, diplomatically, and economically, and how it could be seen as a message to Turkey.
Background of the visit
The visit comes against the backdrop of growing alignment between Turkey and Pakistan. Turkey has repeatedly supported Pakistan on the Kashmir issue and voiced support during recent periods of heightened military tension between India and Pakistan.
