External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday expressed confidence that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Cyprus would strengthen bilateral ties and enhance the India-European Union partnership.

Jaishankar made the remarks after meeting his Cypriot counterpart Constantinos Kombos upon arriving at Larnaca International Airport. “Delighted to meet FM @ckombos of Cyprus on my arrival at Larnaca. Confident that PM @narendramodi’s visit to Cyprus will deepen our longstanding bilateral ties and the India-EU partnership,” Jaishankar posted on X.

This marks PM Modi’s first visit to Cyprus and the first by an Indian Prime Minister in over two decades. He was warmly received at the airport by Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Finance Minister Kombos.

President Christodoulides welcomed PM Modi on X, calling it “a historic visit” and a “new chapter in a strategic partnership that knows no limits.” PM Modi responded, calling the reception a special gesture and emphasizing that the visit would “add significant momentum to India-Cyprus relations, especially in areas like trade and investment.”

The visit underscores India’s growing diplomatic outreach to Europe. Cyprus, a long-standing friend of India, is set to assume the EU’s rotating presidency next year, making the timing of this visit crucial.

During the visit, the two sides are expected to hold wide-ranging talks on trade, security, technology, and regional cooperation. The leaders also aim to boost people-to-people ties and economic collaboration.

PM Modi is currently on a three-nation tour, which includes stops in Canada for the G7 Summit and in Croatia for bilateral meetings.