Context- 
From 15 to 19 June 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook a significant three-nation tour of Cyprus, Canada, and Croatia. Though geographically limited, the visit was high in strategic depth and intent. Each leg of the journey was packed with symbolism and substance, reflecting India’s rising profile as a shaping power in global diplomacy. This tour aligns India’s expanding aspirations with its realistic strategic interests across the Mediterranean, the Transatlantic West, and Eastern Europe.

Purpose and Broader Significance

This trip aimed to deepen bilateral relations and strengthen India’s strategic foundations in three critical regions:

1. Cyprus and Croatia – as potential nodes in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
2. Canada – as a platform for engaging global leaders at the G7 Summit and initiating a subtle diplomatic reset.

The tour reflects the maturation of India’s foreign policy, shifting from reactive balancing to proactive shaping of global narratives.

Cyprus: A Mediterranean Strategic Anchor

Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Cyprus (15–16 June) was the first by an Indian PM in over two decades. It signified India’s intent to engage more deeply with a region that is gaining strategic prominence.

• Geopolitical Messaging: The visit underscored India’s support for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation for Cyprus, in line with UN parameters. This reiteration of India’s stance was welcomed by Cypriot leadership and sent a subtle signal to Turkey, a nation closely aligned with Pakistan and often critical of India on international platforms like the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
• Strategic Cooperation: India and Cyprus signed agreements to boost cooperation in maritime security, cybersecurity, and naval exchanges, hinting at a shift towards more strategic engagement.
• Economic and Diplomatic Importance: Cyprus reaffirmed support for India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. The country also presents a potential hub for Indian exports and financial services targeting Southern Europe.
• Soft Power and Diaspora: PM Modi addressed the Indian community in Limassol, celebrating the diaspora’s contributions to India-Cyprus relations. In a symbolic gesture, he was awarded Cyprus’s highest civilian honour.

Canada: Global Diplomacy and a Measured Reset

PM Modi visited Kananaskis, Canada, to participate in the G7 Summit, marking his sixth consecutive appearance at this global forum of the world’s advanced economies.

• G7 Platform: India, though not a G7 member, has become a permanent guest due to its growing economic and diplomatic relevance. PM Modi put forward India’s perspectives on:
• AI regulation based on trust and ethics.
• Quantum technology and its moral implications.
• Climate finance with a focus on Global South.
• Energy justice and democratic resilience.
• Diplomatic Undertones: The visit came after a year of strained India-Canada relations, primarily due to the Khalistani separatist issue. While no formal bilateral meetings were publicly announced, backchannel diplomacy was active. The message was clear: India is open to engaging but will not compromise on national security.
• Economic Engagement: Discussions with Canadian businesses focused on strategic minerals, green hydrogen, and education. This points to India’s continued willingness to work with Canada while maintaining its core interests.

Croatia: Opening the Eastern European Gateway

The final leg of the tour saw PM Modi arrive in Croatia, the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country since diplomatic ties were established in 1992.

• Geostrategic Positioning: Croatia, a member of both the EU and NATO, lies at the heart of the Adriatic-Balkan corridor. It is strategically located along European transport routes like the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and offers access to Adriatic ports—Rijeka, Split, and Ploče.
• IMEC Relevance: Croatia is a strong candidate for hosting key terminals of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). This enhances India’s ability to project economic power and logistical presence into Central and Eastern Europe.
• Bilateral Relations and Trade:
• India recognised Croatia soon after its independence in 1992, and relations have been friendly since the Yugoslav era.
• Trade has steadily increased—from $199.45 million in 2017 to $337.68 million in 2023.
• India exports pharmaceuticals, machinery, chemicals, and garments, while Croatia exports chemicals, instruments, rubber, and timber.
• Technology and Innovation: Discussions with PM Andrej Plenkovic and President Zoran Milanovic centred on digital innovation, maritime logistics, technology transfer, tourism, and defence cooperation.
• Cultural and Civilisational Connect:
• PM Modi was gifted a reprint of the first Sanskrit grammar book written in Latin by Croatian scholar Filip Vezdin in 1790.
• Croatian contributions to Indian culture include work on churches in Goa and continued academic interest in Indian studies.
• Strategic Outlook: India is consciously expanding its footprint beyond Western Europe. The focus on Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is aimed at:
• Countering China’s BRI influence in the Balkans.
• Engaging with Three Sea Initiative (3SI) countries.
• Building support for India’s global aspirations, including UNSC membership.

Strategic Themes of the Tour

Across all three countries, the tour highlights a common thread—India’s evolving foreign policy doctrine, based on realism, vision, and influence-building.

1. Mediterranean Engagement

• Cyprus anchors India’s presence in the Eastern Mediterranean, offering diplomatic and maritime leverage.
• Strategic proximity to Turkey and Suez-linked trade routes adds geopolitical value.

2. Western Bloc Recalibration

• Canada provides a platform for engaging with the G7, pushing India’s stance on tech ethics, climate equity, and multilateral governance.
• Diplomatic restraint shown in Canada marks India’s mature response to bilateral challenges.

3. Eastern European Outreach

• Croatia serves as India’s gateway to Eastern and Central Europe, often neglected in Indian diplomacy.
• It helps diversify India’s European engagement, moving beyond Paris, Berlin, and Brussels.

4. IMEC Alignment

• Both Cyprus and Croatia are crucial to the success of IMEC, India’s proposed counter to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
• These nations offer port access, trade gateways, and EU integration that IMEC aims to capitalise on.

5. Civilisational and Cultural Diplomacy

• Cultural references—like Sanskrit scholarship in Croatia and diaspora engagement in Cyprus—highlight the soft power dimension of India’s diplomacy.
• These elements strengthen long-term people-to-people ties and reinforce India’s global image.

Conclusion:

PM Modi’s tour stands out for its substance over spectacle. It was marked by quiet confidence, strategic intent, and long-term vision.

At a time when the world faces war, technological disruption, and economic volatility, India is seen increasingly as a reliable and balanced power. This visit added three important nodes—Cyprus, Canada, and Croatia—to India’s growing diplomatic and strategic grid.

As global alliances shift and new corridors of influence emerge, India’s foreign policy is no longer reactive. It is purpose-driven, anticipatory, and deeply interconnected. Whether it’s shaping global norms at the G7 or building regional corridors in the Mediterranean and Balkans, India’s moves are deliberate and decisive.

This tour is yet another chapter in India’s evolution as a responsible global player—a nation that seeks influence not through coercion but through vision, partnerships, and shared growth.