New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi will travel to Cyprus for the first phase of his three nations visit on Sunday, which will see him attending the G7 Summit in Canada and will also visit Croatia. Modi is expected to have several bilateral meetings on the margins of the summit in Kananskis.Official sources said that while the PM would have a meeting with his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney, his other bilateral busyness is still being worked. Modi will come face to face with US President Donald Trump for the first time after his meeting in February.The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Cyprus’s visit – AB Vajpayee visited the country for the first time by an Indian PM – will confirm the shared commitment of both countries to deepen bilateral relations and strengthen India’s engagement with the Mediterranean region and the European Union.Cyprus’ visit is also important as it comes in the midst of India’s tension with Turkas on later support of Pakistan. Differences over the recognition of Ankara of the so -called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the northern region seized by Turkish forces in 1974 and the rights of gas discovery in Eastern Mediterranean remain a constant source of tension between Turkish and Cyprus.Modi is expected to reach Canada on 16 June, a day after the G7 summit. This will be his sixth consecutive participation at the G7 summit. The government said, “At the summit, PM G7 will exchange views on important global issues along with heads of other invited outreach countries and international organizations, including energy security, technology and innovation, especially A-ENEDEGE Nexus and Quantum-related issues,” the government said in its announcement.For the last phase of his visit, Modi will hold an official visit to Croatia on 18 June. This will be the first trip by an Indian PM in Croatia, which will mark a significant milestone in bilateral relations. The government said, “Croatia’s visit will also underline India’s commitment to further strengthen its engagement with partners in the European Union.”
