PM Modi receives highest honour of Cyprus: Dedicate this award to our friendship

During his official visit to the Mediterranean nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Cyprus’ top civilian award — The Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III. PM Modi, in expressing thanks for the honor, attributed the award to the longstanding friendship between India and Cyprus.

“This honour is not just a recognition of me, Narendra Modi — it is an honour for 1.4 billion Indians. It is a tribute to their strength and aspirations,” the Prime Minister said, adding that it also represents a recognition of India’s culture, values, and the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the world is one family.

“I dedicate this award to the friendship between India and Cyprus, to our shared values, and to Cyprus’s understanding of India,” he added. PM Modi said that he accepts the honour on behalf of all Indians with “utmost humility and gratitude”, saying it strengthens the two nations’ shared commitment to peace, security, sovereignty, regional integrity, and prosperity.

PM Modi commenced his five-day, three-nation trip on Sunday with a visit to Cyprus — the first time in over twenty years that an Indian Prime Minister has visited the island nation. Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides welcomed him at the airport.

Addressing the India-Cyprus CEO Forum, PM Modi welcomed the creation of the India, Cyprus, and Greece Business and Investment Council, calling it “a very good initiative” that holds the potential to become a key platform for trilateral economic cooperation. He assured business leaders that the ideas and suggestions shared at the forum would be taken forward through a concrete action plan.

Emphasizing the increasing economic partnership, PM Modi mentioned that the Cyprus Stock Exchange and India’s National Stock Exchange have decided to work together in GIFT City, Gujarat. He additionally encouraged Cypriot investors and business figures to investigate prospects in various sectors in India.

Earlier, sharing an update on X, the Prime Minister wrote: “Strengthening business ties! President Nikos Christodoulides and I met with top CEOs, with the aim of strengthening trade ties between India and Cyprus. Sectors such as innovation, energy, technology and others offer huge potential. I also spoke about India’s reform trajectory over the past decade.