Modi’s Cyprus Visit: A Strategic Move Amid Growing Regional Rivalries
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Cyprus is significant for India’s international relationships, particularly as Turkish geostrategist Brahma Chellaney notes that Turkey might see this as India building ties with its rivals. Modi hailed Cyprus as a ‘reliable partner’ and signed multiple memorandums to enhance economic cooperation, despite tensions due to Turkey’s stance towards Pakistan. Overall, this visit strengthens ongoing dialogues in energy diplomacy and financial agreements.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Cyprus is being interpreted through a geopolitical lens, particularly by Turkey, as a sign of India’s evolving relationships with regional players, including Nicosia. Geostrategist Brahma Chellaney suggests that Ankara might perceive this visit as evidence of India strengthening its ties with traditional opponents like Greece and Armenia. He highlights that unlike Turkey’s longstanding military alliance with Pakistan, Cyprus has consistently supported India on the international stage, including endorsing its bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
Chellaney elaborates that Cyprus, set to take over the EU Council presidency next year, plays a crucial role in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). He believes India’s engagement in Cyprus could bolster its position in energy diplomacy, thereby extending New Delhi’s influence in the Mediterranean region. This move is also seen as part of a larger strategy to counter Turkish expansionism, especially as relations between Turkey and Cyprus have been strained.
During his visit, Modi characterized Cyprus as a “reliable partner” for India, emphasizing the increased focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation. His participation in a business roundtable with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides marked the inaugural event of his three-nation tour, underlining the significance of the visit for economic collaboration.
Modi also pointed to the historical context of his visit, noting that it marked the first time in 23 years that an Indian prime minister has traveled to Cyprus, indicating the importance of diplomatic ties and economic stakeholders. Additionally, he recognized Cyprus as a renowned tourist destination and highlighted India’s commitment to developing tourism in the region.
However, it is important to note that Indian tourism to Turkey has suffered due to Ankara’s support for Islamabad, prompting calls for a boycott of Turkey by Indian internet users. The Indian government has also withdrawn security clearances for the Turkish ground service provider Celebi, citing concerns over national security.
Moreover, significant memorandums of understanding were signed during this visit. The National Payments Corporation of India partnered with Eurobank of Cyprus to introduce Unified Payments Interface services in Cyprus. Additionally, an agreement was made between NSE International Exchange Gift City and the Cyprus Stock Exchange to facilitate cross-border financial flows, showing promising developments in financial cooperation between the two countries.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Cyprus has broader implications for international relations in the region. The assessment from Brahma Chellaney emphasizes how this engagement might be interpreted by Turkey amid its ties with Pakistan and strained relations with Cyprus. Furthermore, the signed agreements and Modi’s strong statements about the partnership with Cyprus signify a step towards increased economic and diplomatic collaboration that could reshape regional dynamics.
Original Source: www.businesstoday.in
