On June 16, 2025, during his visit to Cyprus, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III, the island nation’s highest civilian honour . Named after Cyprus’s first president, this order recognises exceptional contributions to bilateral cooperation and global diplomacy.

President Nikos Christodoulides personally conferred the award in Nicosia, acknowledging Modi's role in advancing India-Cyprus relations, particularly in trade, investment, and regional stability . Modi dedicated the recognition to the 1.4 billion citizens of India, attributing the honour to their collective efforts and India's rising global stature .

The award comes during Modi’s first visit by an Indian prime minister to Cyprus in over two decades - a milestone that also saw significant discussions on the India–Middle East–Europe Corridor (IMEC) and strategic cooperation . This accolade underscores both the deepening India-Cyprus partnership and India’s broader global outreach under Modi’s leadership.