New Delhi: In a mark of respect, Michaela Kythreoti Mhlapa, a member of the Council of Nicosia, touched the feet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his ceremonial welcome at the historic Centre of Nicosia on Monday. The moment, caught on camera, quickly went viral on social media.
Prime Minister Modi, who is on a three-nation tour, arrived in Cyprus earlier in the day—the first visit by an Indian head of government to the island nation in over two decades. He was received by President Nikos Christodoulides and other senior officials before visiting the walled city centre of Nicosia, a site rich with historical and cultural significance.
#WATCH | Cyprus | Michaela Kythreoti Mhlapa, Member of Council of Nicosia, while welcoming PM Modi at the historic Centre of Nicosia, touched PM Modi’s feet as a mark of respect. The PM appreciated her for being familiar with the Indian culture. pic.twitter.com/jTyZ8HJknf
— ANI (@ANI) June 16, 2025
An integral part of Indian culture
Mhlapa’s gesture—an integral part of Indian culture as a mark of deep respect—was met with a gracious acknowledgment from the Prime Minister. PM Modi touched her head, blessing her.
The scene sparked a flurry of reactions online, with many praising the symbolic significance of the moment. Comparisons were drawn to a similar episode in 2023, when Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape touched PM Modi’s feet upon his arrival in Port Moresby—a rare honour given that the Pacific nation traditionally does not host formal welcomes after sunset.
Modi’s visit to Cyprus carries both symbolic and strategic weight. Coming shortly after military tensions with Pakistan, the trip is seen as a diplomatic message to Turkey, which occupies a significant portion of Cyprus’s territory and recently supported Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.
Significance of PM’s Cyprus visit
During the day, PM Modi held bilateral talks with President Christodoulides aimed at strengthening cooperation in trade, defence, and regional security. He was later conferred with the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III, Cyprus’s highest civilian honour. “Humbled to receive the Grand Cross… I dedicate it to the friendship between our nations,” Modi said in a post on X.
Modi will next travel to Canada to attend the G7 Summit, followed by a state visit to Croatia—the first ever by an Indian Prime Minister.
