Prime Minister Narendra Modi's three-nation foreign tour—spanning Cyprus, Canada, and Croatia—marks a strategically significant outreach, both diplomatically and symbolically, especially in the aftermath of India’s Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK. Here's a detailed overview of the tour:
🇨🇾 Stop 1: Cyprus (June 15–16)
-
Welcome & Significance:PM Modi was warmly received by Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides upon arrival—his visit being the first by an Indian PM in over two decades.
-
Agenda:
-
Strengthening ties in trade, investment, security, technology, and people-to-people exchange.
-
Likely discussions on EU-India collaboration, as Cyprus is an important EU member with close diplomatic ties to India.
-
-
Context:The visit signals India's growing outreach to smaller but strategically located nations in the Mediterranean, seeking to deepen political and economic engagements within the European Union framework.
🇨🇦 Stop 2: Canada for the G7 Summit (June 16–17)
-
Summit Location: Kananaskis, AlbertaHosted by Canadian PM Mark Carney, this G7 marks PM Modi’s return to Canada after a diplomatic freeze following the Khalistani separatist row.
-
Background:India-Canada ties took a hit in 2023 when then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani separatist. India strongly refuted the claim, calling it "absurd."
-
Modi's G7 Focus Areas:
-
Counterterrorism diplomacy post-Operation Sindoor
-
Energy security, with emphasis on clean energy partnerships
-
Tech and innovation cooperation
-
Global South representation amid geopolitical polarization
-
-
Symbolism:Modi’s participation also quashes speculation that he might skip the summit, which would have marked his first G7 absence in six years.
🇭🇷 Stop 3: Croatia (June 18)
-
Historic First:PM Modi’s stop in Croatia will be the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister.
-
Meetings:
-
With President Zoran Milanović
-
With Prime Minister Andrej Plenković
-
-
Focus Areas:
-
Deepening cultural ties—with roots tracing back centuries
-
Exploring partnerships in pharma, IT, defence, and tourism
-
Enhancing cooperation in multilateral forums and maritime collaboration
-
-
Broader Strategy:The visit is aligned with India’s push to diversify its European partnerships beyond traditional players like Germany and France.
🔍 Geopolitical Undercurrent: Operation Sindoor
PM Modi framed the trip as a “thank you tour” for international partners that supported India’s cross-border counterterrorism efforts. His statement emphasized the need to galvanize global understanding against terrorism, likely reinforcing India's narrative at global forums like the G7.
✈️ Schedule Summary:
| Date | Location | Key Events |
|---|---|---|
| June 15–16 | Cyprus | Bilateral talks with President Christodoulides |
| June 16–17 | Canada | G7 Summit at Kananaskis |
| June 18 | Croatia | State visit, bilateral meetings with top leadership |
| June 19 | — | Return to India |
This high-stakes diplomatic tour is designed to reassert India’s global leadership, build resilience in bilateral ties, and consolidate partnerships in the face of geopolitical volatility.
