India, June 16 -- India and Cyprus on Monday agreed on measures to ramp up cooperation in defence, maritime security, trade and counter-terrorism as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Nikos Christodulides reiterated their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both countries.

Modi's visit to Cyprus on his way to the G7 Summit in Canada was seen as a message to Turkiye, which backed Pakistan in last month's clashes with India. Turkiye is the only country to recognise the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, comprising a third of the Mediterranean island seized by Turkish forces in 1974, while India maintains ties with the Republic of Cyprus.

Christodulides and Modi, the first Indian premier to visit Cy...