President Nikos Christodoulides bestowed the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III, the highest honour of Cyprus, upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia on Monday. The Order of Makarios III, named after the Republic of Cyprus's first president, was the highest merit honour in Cyprus. The government of Cyprus bestows this honour upon heads of state and other people of significant status in recognition of meritorious service to the nation.

PM Modi expressed gratitude to President Christodoulides, the government, and the people of Cyprus for the honour.

He said, "President, for the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III, I express heartfelt gratitude to you, the Government of Cyprus and the people of Cyprus. This honour is not just mine, it is the honour of 140 crore Indians. It is the honour of their capabilities and aspirations. It is the honour of our country's cultural brotherhood and the ideology of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.' I dedicate this honour to the friendly relations between India and Cyprus and our shared values and mutual understanding. On behalf of all Indians, I accept this honour with utmost humility and gratitude."

He further said, "This honour symbolises our unwavering commitment to peace, security, sovereignty, territorial integrity and prosperity of our people. I understand the significance of this honour and accept it as a responsibility towards the relations between India and Cyprus."

He expressed confidence that the ties between the two nations would touch new heights.

He stated, "I am confident that in the time to come, our active partnership will touch new heights. Together, we will not only strengthen the progress of our two nations but also contribute towards building a peaceful and secure global environment."

In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “An award dedicated to the trusted India-Cyprus friendship & 1.4 billion people of India. President @Christodulides conferred PM @narendramodi with the 'Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III' of Cyprus. The honour reflects the enduring India - Cyprus bilateral partnership and shared commitment to work together for the common vision for peace, progress and prosperity.”

Earlier in the day, Christodoulides welcomed PM Modi to the Presidential Palace in Nicosia. The President of Cyprus and PM Modi introduced each other to the delegates from their respective countries.

In another post on X, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote, “Strengthening ties with a trusted partner. PM @narendramodi was warmly received by President @Christodulides at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia today and accorded a ceremonial welcome. Official talks lie ahead.”

PM Modi arrived in Cyprus on Sunday afternoon (local time), marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the island nation in over two decades. President Christodoulides received him at Larnaca International Airport. The Indian diaspora in Limassol gave PM Modi a heartfelt welcome.

Upon arrival, PM Modi and President Christodoulides participated in a business roundtable and engaged with leading CEOs. During the interaction, PM Modi spoke about India's reform trajectory in the last decade.

In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "Boosting business linkages! President Nikos Christodoulides and I interacted with leading CEOs to add vigour to commercial linkages between India and Cyprus. Sectors like innovation, energy, technology and more offer immense potential. I also talked about India's reform trajectory in the last decade."

The Cyprus Presidency, in a post on X, said that Cyprus was deepening and expanding economic cooperation with India.

It stated, "Roundtable discussion with the Indian Prime Minister and members of the Cyprus and Indian business communities: Today, we are building more bridges; we are deepening and expanding economic cooperation between Cyprus and India. Together, we are entering a new era of strategic partnership, founded on trust and our shared values, driven by innovation and inspired by our rich historical journey and the vast horizon that opens before us. Together, Cyprus and India send a strong message of cooperation and prosperity, and at the same time, a message of hope."

PM Modi said that India would soon become the third-largest economy in the world and highlighted numerous economic opportunities available to companies from Cyprus.

The Prime Minister highlighted India’s rapid economic transformation in the last 11 years. He noted that next-generation reforms, policy predictability, stable polity and Ease of Doing Business had made India the fastest-growing major economy in the world, according to a statement from the External Affairs Ministry in New Delhi.