Nicosia, Jun 16 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said he and Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides "expressed concern" over the ongoing conflicts in West Asia and Europe, and they both agree that "this is not an era of war".

Modi made the remarks after wide-ranging talks with Christodoulides, covering the full range of bilateral relations. They talked about cooperation in areas like defence, security, trade, technology, healthcare, renewable energy and climate justice. They also discussed regional and global issues, including the conflicts in West Asia and Europe.

During his visit, Modi and Christodoulides also viewed from atop a building the mountains near Nicosia, which are under Turkish control, signalling a message to Turkiye, which had openly supported Pakistan during the recent conflict with India.

His visit to Cyprus assumes significance in the wake of the island nation's strained ties with Turkiye.

This is his first foreign visit after India carried out Operation Sindoor in May during which it destroyed terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir in retaliation to the Pahalgam attack.

"We are thankful for Cyprus' support to India's fight against cross-border terrorism," Modi, the first Indian prime minister to visit Cyprus in over two decades, said while addressing a joint press conference with Christodoulides after their talks.

A joint statement issued after their talks said Cyprus and India "unequivocally condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including international and cross-border terrorism, and reaffirmed their shared commitment to countering hybrid threats that undermine peace and stability".

They reiterated their "zero-tolerance approach" to terrorism, rejecting any justification for such acts, under any circumstances, as they emphasised that those responsible for the attacks should be held "accountable".

"We both expressed concern over the conflicts going on in West Asia and Europe. Their negative impact is not just limited to those regions. We both consider that this is not an era of war. Resolution through dialogue and restoration of stability is the call of humanity," Modi said, without naming any country.

Christodoulides said, "We have a historic friendship, and there is trust in ties".

He recalled the horrific Pahalgam terror attack of April 22 and asserted that Cyprus stands in "full solidarity" with India.

Cyprus "stands with India in its fight against terrorism" in all forms and manifestations, he said.

In his remarks, Christodoulides also referred to the June 12 Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad and said the people of Cyprus are with India in this time of grief.

Christodoulides also said the two sides also discussed the Cyprus issue and added that Cyprus wants to end the "illegal occupation" by Turkiye, referring to the disputed northern region.

"We extend the gratitude of the Republic of Cyprus to India and its people for their support. The support for the territorial integrity of Cyprus, our reunification," he said, and cited India's contribution to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus.

Cyprus and India "expressed their strong commitment to the resumption of UN-facilitated efforts to achieve a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Cyprus Question on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, in accordance with the agreed UN framework and the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions," said the joint statement.

"India reiterated its unwavering and consistent support for the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity of the Republic of Cyprus. In this regard, both sides emphasized the need to avoid unilateral actions as essential for creating a conducive environment for the resumption of meaningful negotiations," it added.

The island nation located in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, and neighbouring Turkiye, share an uneasy past.

According to the website of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, the Turkish government, invoking the Treaty of Guarantee of 1960, launched an extensive military operation on the north coast of Cyprus, which resulted eventually in the occupation of the main Turkish Cypriot enclave north of Nicosia's.

In 1974, India had taken a firm stand in support of the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus.

In his press statement, Modi said his visit was a "golden opportunity" to write a new chapter in India-Cyprus bilateral ties.

Modi said there are many similarities between Cyprus' Vision 2035 and the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

"That is why we will shape the future together. We will create a concrete roadmap for the next five years to give a strategic direction to our partnership. Dialogue will be started on cyber and maritime security," he said.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, in a post on X wrote on the visit, "A renewed momentum to further deepen India-Cyprus ties." During the delegation-level talks, both leaders discussed ways to deepen cooperation in newer areas of defence industry, connectivity, innovation, tourism and mobility, alongside traditional areas of trade and investments, counter-terrorism and culture, he said.

They called for enhancing connectivity between the two countries which would strengthen the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) corridor. They noted that Cyprus is an important partner for India in the EU, Jaiswal wrote.

In his remarks, the Prime Minister asserted that mutual trust in democracy and the rule of law form a "strong foundation of our ties".

"Our ties are neither made by circumstances nor limited. We respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said.

Modi said Cyprus is also a choice tourist destination for Indians, and efforts will be made for direct air connectivity between the two sides.

"We also discussed how to deepen cultural linkages. Yoga and Ayurveda are gaining popularity in Cyprus, which is gladdening to see. Tourism is another area where there is rich potential. We also deliberated on how to improve connectivity," he said.

IMEEC and India-EU ties also figured in their talks and the joint statement.

Both leaders underscored the significance of the IMEEC as a "transformative, multi-nodal initiative" that fosters peace, economic integration, and sustainable development, it said.

"We are both convinced about the transformative potential of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. This corridor will boost peace and prosperity in the region," Modi said.

Cyprus will assume the presidency of the Council of the EU next year.

"I have assured the Prime Minister that when Cyprus will assume the presidency of the Council of the EU, we will accord priority to EU-India ties, and we will cooperate so that we can boost it. Also, EU-India free trade agreement we wish it gets concluded," Christodoulides said.

The President also invited Modi to the "unofficial meeting" of the Council of the EU, which he said will take place next year in Cyprus.

The Prime Minister also invited the Cyprus President to visit India.

"The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and reform of global governance institutions, including UN Security Council reform," the MEA said.

Prime Minister Modi thanked President Christodoulides for reiterating Cyprus’s support for India’s permanent membership of a reformed UNSC.

An MoU to establish an India Studies ICCR Chair at the University of Nicosia was also signed during the visit, the MEA said. PTI KND ZH ZH