President Nikos Christodoulides has arrived in India for a four-day state visit, landing at Mumbai airport on Wednesday afternoon. The Cypriot leader made a striking entrance in a grey Nehru jacket, a style popularised by the late Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
- As Christodoulides continues his visit, the remembrance of past tragedies serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by terrorism and the critical need for unity in the pursuit of peace.
At the airport, he was greeted by prominent Indian officials, including Maharashtra state governor Jishnu Dev Varna, chief minister Devendra Gangadharrao Fadnavis, and protocol minister Jaykumar Rawal. Roads in Mumbai were closed in honour of his visit, with electronic billboards displaying warm welcome messages to the delegation.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
As part of his itinerary, Christodoulides laid a wreath at the memorial for victims of the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, which claimed the life of one Cypriot national, Andreas Liveras. The attacks, which began on November 26, targeted multiple locations in Mumbai, including the iconic Taj Mahal Palace hotel.
In a poignant tribute, Christodoulides penned a message in the memorial book, stating, “On the occasion of my state visit to India, I wish to pay tribute to the innocent victims, including a Cypriot national, of the November 2008 terrorist attacks.” He expressed solidarity with India, emphasising the importance of international cooperation in combating terrorism.
Andreas Liveras, a 73-year-old businessman from Cyprus, was among the hostages taken during the attacks. He had been in India to attend a maritime exhibition. Tragically, he was shot multiple times and later succumbed to his injuries. His family recalled a call he made to his son just before his death, reassuring him that he was safe.
Liveras had emigrated to the United Kingdom in 1963 and built a successful business empire in shipping and hospitality, becoming well-known in international business circles. His death during the attack left a profound impact on his family and the wider Cypriot community.
As Christodoulides continues his visit, the remembrance of past tragedies serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by terrorism and the critical need for unity in the pursuit of peace.
