Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday described Cyprus as “a close friend and an important partner” as he began his journey to the island.

He said his visit to Cyprus “provides an opportunity to build upon the historical bonds and expand our ties in the areas of trade, investment, security, [and] technology, and promote people-to-people exchanges”.

After visiting Cyprus, Modi is set to travel to Canada for the forthcoming G7 summit, before returning to India via Croatia.

“The three-nation tour is also an opportunity to thank partner countries for their steadfast support to India in our fight against cross-border terrorism, and to galvanise global understanding on tackling terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” he said.

He is set to arrive in Cyprus later on Sunday, before attending a roundtable meeting in Limassol alongside President Nikos Christodoulides and business leaders from both Cyprus and India.

Later in the day, Christodoulides and Modi will hold an informal working dinner.

On Monday, the pair will hold a private meeting at the presidential palace, where Christodoulides will award Modi the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III – the highest honour in Cyprus.

Afterwards, expanded talks between the delegations of the two countries will be held, with statements set to be made to the media at the meeting’s conclusion.

It has been reported that discussions will centre on issues related to bilateral relations and ways to strengthen them, particularly in economic terms, in terms of trade, as well as regarding infrastructure and investment.

Discussions will also be held regarding relations between India and the European Union, issues related to the planned ‘India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor’ (Imec), the situation in the Middle East, and the latest developments on the Cyprus problem.

Christodoulides and Modi will then visit the Green Line in central Nicosia, before turning to the presidential palace for an official lunch. Modi will then depart for Canada after the lunch.