Last Updated:November 27, 2025, 18:53 IST
Demetriou also hailed PM Modi’s ‘historic’ visit to the Green Line—the UN-administered buffer zone dividing Cyprus
Her visit, anchored by the long-standing friendship between the two democracies, focused on expanding the bilateral relationship beyond traditional sectors. Image/X
Annita Demetriou, the President of the House of Representatives of Cyprus and the nation’s first woman and youngest-ever Speaker, has been on a high-profile visit to India, during which she met with President Droupadi Murmu and External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar. In an exclusive conversation with CNN-News18, Demetriou, a social media sensation, lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure, describing him as a “spiritual leader” whose policies have driven India’s progress and upgraded its international standing.
Her visit, anchored by the long-standing friendship between the two democracies, focused on expanding the bilateral relationship beyond traditional sectors. A key highlight was her emotional acknowledgement of PM Modi’s “historic” visit to the Green Line—the UN-administered buffer zone dividing Cyprus—a gesture that demonstrated India’s firm, principled support for Cyprus’s sovereignty and call for reunification against the backdrop of the Turkish occupation since 1974. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the recently adopted Joint Action Plan (2025-2029), aiming to leverage Cyprus’s position as a gateway to the EU and India’s growing global influence.
Edited excerpts of the interview:
How are you liking India?
Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity. We love India and are really impressed by the hospitality and warmth of the people. Along with me is the delegation from Cyprus. We have had very important meetings, and I think the timing is ideal to strengthen the relations between our countries even more. Cyprus and India cherish a long-standing friendship, and now it is time to upscale and improve our relationship further.
You called on President Murmu, and you met External Affairs Minister Jaishankar. About a month ago, there was another high-level visit from Cyprus. The Foreign Minister of Cyprus visited India, and Prime Minister Modi visited Cyprus in June, where he also went to the northern side to oversee the land occupied by Turkey. Talk to us about Prime Minister Modi’s gesture of going to the Green Line. How important is that gesture for your country and your people?
It was a historic moment. Prime Minister Modi visited the Green Line and realised what is happening in Cyprus. My country, after the Turkish invasion in 1974, is still divided and occupied by Turkey. He saw firsthand what it means to have ongoing violations of human rights and international law. We hope for a long-lasting solution that will bring peace and stability to our country and the world. In our neighbourhood in Cyprus, as well as in Ukraine and Gaza, we understand the necessity of establishing peace, security, and stability. Cyprus can be a catalyst for achieving this goal, and we believe in the importance of geostrategic relations between Europe and India. As a member state of the European Union, Cyprus will do its best to achieve this, as it is essential and necessary at this time.
You met External Affairs Minister Jaishankar yesterday. Talk to us about the areas of cooperation between the two countries. You will also be meeting the Speaker of the House, Om Birla. Both countries are democracies with their own constitutions. How can these two democracies work together for the benefit of their people?
We may differ in size, but we have many similarities. We believe we can further our relationship in sectors like connectivity, trade, shipping, and safety. We have a joint action plan decided between Prime Minister Modi and our President. The visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and our discussions with officials here in India focused on expanding this collaboration into other sectors, such as education. The sky is the limit to what we can achieve, and we will discuss further ways to expand our collaboration today.
How do you view Prime Minister Modi’s leadership? He has been leading the country for over a decade. What impact has his leadership had on the global stage?
Prime Minister Modi is a spiritual leader who truly cares for his country. In recent years, India has been progressing well, and it’s important for the people to experience this in their daily lives. We believe in investing in further collaboration between our countries. The upgrading of international relations strategy is due to the efforts of Prime Minister Modi and other officials. It is crucial to have leaders who guide not only foreign affairs diplomacy but also the people and policies towards a more prosperous future.
Have you had time to visit places in New Delhi, try the food, and explore the markets?
Of course, we did. It’s part of an official visit to experience the culture and food. We were impressed by the heritage, visiting the Taj Mahal and other important monuments. The cultural heritage here is unbelievable, and I think all Indian people can feel proud of it.
Siddhant Mishra is a Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, covering foreign affairs and international relations. With over 12 years of experience in journalism, he has also reported extensively on crime, …Read More
Siddhant Mishra is a Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, covering foreign affairs and international relations. With over 12 years of experience in journalism, he has also reported extensively on crime, … Read More
November 27, 2025, 18:53 IST
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