Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Cyprus on Sunday, beginning a five-day international trip that will also take him to Canada and Croatia. This marks his first overseas visit since India launched Operation Sindoor, a strategic mission aimed at dismantling terror networks in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.

Upon his arrival in Cyprus, PM Modi was welcomed by the country’s President, Nikos Christodoulides, at the airport. His visit to the island nation, scheduled for June 15–16, is the first by an Indian Prime Minister in over 20 years.

During his stay, PM Modi is expected to hold bilateral talks with President Christodoulides to strengthen cooperation in various sectors, including trade, security, technology, and investment.

In a statement ahead of his departure, the Prime Minister said, “Cyprus is a valued partner for India in the Mediterranean and the European Union. My visit will focus on deepening our historic friendship and boosting collaboration across key areas, while also fostering closer ties between our people.”

Following his engagements in Cyprus, PM Modi will travel to Kananaskis, Canada, where he will take part in the G7 Summit on June 16–17, at the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. This leg of the tour holds significance, marking PM Modi’s first visit to Canada since tensions escalated between the two nations over the Khalistan separatist issue.

The G7 visit also comes amid speculation that Modi might not attend the summit—something that hasn’t happened in the past six years. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, PM Modi will present India’s stance on pressing global concerns, particularly energy security, innovation, and technology partnerships.

Diplomatic ties between India and Canada have been strained since September 2023, when then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agencies of involvement in the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India dismissed the allegations as baseless.

The final stop on Modi’s three-nation journey will be Croatia, where he will meet President Zoran Milanović and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković on June 18. He is expected to return to India on June 19.

Highlighting the importance of the visit, PM Modi noted that this would be the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Croatia, describing it as an opportunity to open new avenues for cooperation between the two countries, which share deep-rooted cultural ties.

“This tour is also a chance to express gratitude to nations that have stood by India in our campaign against terrorism and to promote a united global stance against all forms of extremist violence,” the Prime Minister added before his departure.