Modi’s Post-Operation Sindoor Visit Seeks Strategic Realignments
PM Narendra Modi embarks on three nations visits (Image credit PMO)
Modi in Cyprus Sends Firm Message to Turkey While Canada’s Carney Reverses Trudeau’s Damages to India Ties
By MANISH ANAND
NEW DELHI, JUN 15, 2025 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on a three-nation five-day visit with aims for global strategic realignment. His first stop in Cyprus, a member of the European Union, is being seen within the backdrop of India-Pakistan conflicts, while a major thaw is on card with ties with Canada.
While Modi visits Cyprus for a better integration with the European Union, geostrategic experts are giving an Operation Sindoor tone to the event. Turkey had invaded Cyprus in the past. Both the nations are baying blood for each other.
Modi’s Cyprus visit appears to give a clear message to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that there is a price that Ankara has to pay for taking an active role alongside Pakistan during the four-day military conflicts. Modi is only the third Prime Minister to visit Cyprus. Cyprus will also take over the EU Council presidency in the first half of 2026.
While India seeks to broaden export baskets for defence goods, Cyprus could be a destination for Indian made missiles and drones, note geostrategic experts.
Canada’s invitation to the Prime Minister for the G7 outreach session in Kananaskis marks a significant thaw in bilateral ties after a prolonged chill over Khalistani-related tensions. Geostrategic analyst Derek J. Grossman claimed that Modi’s visits to Canada marks a “remarkable progress, considering all of the recent tensions over Khalistanis.” His refrain was clearly to India-Canada relations slipping into an abyss while Justin Trudeau had been the Canadian Prime Minister.
Grossman believes that the change in the tone in India-Canada relations is largely due to the “recent change in Canadian government—a shift that brought a more pragmatic tone.” Unlike Trudeau, Mark Carney, the incumbent Canadian Prime Minister, is seen ironing out differences with three key nations – the US, India, and China. Incidentally, Trudeau was accused of wrecking Canada’s ties with three large economies of the world.
Daniel Broadman, a geopolitical analyst, stated that “the intelligence-sharing resumption facilitated major operations such as the Ontario drug bust of suspected Khalistani and CCP operatives running smuggling rings via trucking networks.” He speculated that sharing of intelligence with India as agreed upon during phone conversation between Modi and Carney per media reports “likely led to the massive drug bust and could soon pave the way for a multi-billion-dollar trade agreement.”
However, skeptics like JM Davis, a professor with geopolitics interests, caution that this intelligence pact might merely formalize what’s already in place.
The vibrant Indian diaspora—1.3 million strong—is hopeful of a thaw in India-Canada relations. Devesh Oberoi, President of the Indian Society of Calgary, told IANS that occasional political turbulence is not seen as a barrier to long-term relations. Similarly, American Punjabi Society expressed optimism for renewed ties and stronger trade relations.
But the invitation remains controversial within Canada. Foreign news agencies such as AP spotlighted claims of a section of Sikh community members that Canada is choosing economic interests over “human rights concerns.” India in the past officially accused Canada of appeasement politics.
But the recent Canada’s national elections decimated the smaller outfits such as NDP, which has base among the Sikh community. Carney’s Liberals now does not need to appeal to the Sikh separatists on lines of Trudeau.
Thus, Modi’s visit offers a crucial opportunity—a platform to deepen dialogue, rebuild trust, and formalize intelligence and trade cooperation. For Ottawa, it’s a balancing act to engage with India’s rising global influence.
Modi’s presence in Canada also serves broader global purposes. Hosted from June 15–17 in Kananaskis, the G7 Summit is dominated by crises—Middle East conflict, fractious US foreign policy, and global economic instability.
Non-G7 nations like India were invited to outreach sessions precisely because their inclusion was championed by other G6 members. Modi is expected to speak on artificial intelligence, energy security, and champion Global South priorities—echoing themes from his G20 outreach last year. His participation underscores India’s aspiration to shape global discourse alongside major powers.
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