Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India arrived in Greece on Friday as the first Indian premier to step foot on Greek soil in four decades. The visit underscores the renewed engagement between the two nations and aims to bolster bilateral ties through comprehensive discussions with Greek leadership.
Prime Minister Modi, as reported in Kathimerini, said, “It is a privilege for me to be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Greece in over four decades.”
The last visit by an Indian head of state was in 1983, when then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi visited Greece at the invitation of her counterpart, Andreas Papandreou.
The discussions will begin with a meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis. This meeting is a precursor to another meeting between the foreign ministers during the UN General Assembly between September 18-21 in New York.
During his visit, Prime Minister Modi will pay homage to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and engage in discussions with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and President Katerina Sakellaropoulou.
Greece and India are actively expanding their partnership, focusing on defence collaboration.
The Indian Air Force’s participation in a European military exercise held in Greece earlier this year highlighted this growing cooperation. Joint naval activities were conducted in Crete by the Indian and Greek naval forces.
Greek fighter jets will participate in an Indian Air Force drill in September, marking a significant step in their defence partnership. Beyond defence, the two nations’ leaders are expected to sign multiple agreements, stressing investment, shipping, and trade. India aims to use the Port of Piraeus for European exports, a potential avenue for collaboration that Foreign Minister Gerapetritis also acknowledged.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his government aspire to position Greece as India’s gateway to the European Union, considering India’s substantial population and increasing global influence.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, shared the moment’s significance via a tweet: “PM @narendramodi arrives in the historic city of Athens for his inaugural visit to Greece. He receives a warm welcome from FM George Gerapetritis at the airport.”
The visit will include meetings with prominent business figures from both nations and the Indian community in Greece.
PM @narendramodi arrives in Athens.
Here is an outline of the packed schedule of his day-long visit to Greece. pic.twitter.com/KBzSzUjuL9
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) August 25, 2023
Bagchi elaborated on the day’s agenda, “He will also hold discussions with business leaders from both sides. Before concluding the visit, he will connect with the community, who are eagerly awaiting him after the triumph of the Chandrayaan mission. All in all, a day of fruitful exchanges.”
#PMModiGreeceVisit LIVE Updates: PM Modi arrives in Greece on 1ST prime ministerial visit in 40 yearshttps://t.co/LHl1aKCpq5
— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) August 25, 2023
The Indian community in Greece welcomed Prime Minister Modi with spirited chants and lively Bollywood dances, expressing their eagerness for stronger bonds between Greece and India.
The visit reflects the shared history between India and Greece and signifies the potential for a dynamic future collaboration encompassing maritime transport, defence, trade, investments, and people-to-people connections.
