Narendra Modi became the first Indian PM to visit Greece in the last 40 years as he arrived in Athens on 25 August on a one-day visit.
The crucial visit that began with Modi paying tribute to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier follows External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar’s visit to Greece in 2021.
Notably, former PM Indira Gandhi was the last Indian PM to visit the Mediterranean nation in 1983.
During Modi’s visit aimed at strengthening ties between India and Greece, the two nations decided to elevate their relationship to a strategic partnership and said that the Greek-India relations would have a positive regional and global impact.
Ties Elevated to Strategic Partnership
In a joint statement released after the visit, India and Greece advocated for a re-energised approach to enhancing the bilateral relationship at a time when the global order is undergoing unprecedented changes.
Held very fruitful talks with @PrimeministerGR @kmitsotakis in Athens. We have decided to raise our bilateral relations to a ‘Strategic Partnership’ for the benefit of our people. Our talks covered sectors such as defence, security, infrastructure, agriculture, skills and more. pic.twitter.com/guOk4Byzqk
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2023
The two countries decided to upgrade Greek-Indian bilateral ties to the level of a “Strategic Partnership,” and agreed to further expand bilateral cooperation in political, security, and economic spheres.
Further, appreciating the increase in bilateral trade and economic engagement in recent years, India and Greece decided to work to double bilateral trade by 2030.
Meeting with Greek PM
During his visit to Athens, Modi met the Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis and held one-on-one and delegate-level discussions.
In his joint press conference with Mitsotakis, the Indian PM highlighted that the meeting of Greece and India is a natural reunion between the two ancient civilisations of the world.
“Today we have excellent coordination on Geopolitical, International, and regional topics whether in the Indo-Pacific or the Mediterranean,” the Indian PM remarked.
He mentioned that despite an Indian PM visiting Greece after 4 decades, “neither the depth of our relations has diminished, nor has there been any decrease in the warmth of our relations.”
It took 40 years for an Indian PM to visit Greece but the warmth between our nations remained as strong.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2023
My visit today will usher in a new era of India-Greece friendship. 🇮🇳 🇬🇷 pic.twitter.com/ciopBJSdpl
Modi also attended a business meeting hosted by Mitsokatis, where the two leaders discussed some specific areas with business representatives of both countries.
Boosting Defence Ties, MoU on Agriculture
At the meeting, the two leaders agreed to boost the defence industries and military ties.
In the joint statement, the two leaders strongly condemned terrorism and decided to establish an institutional platform for dialogue at the level of National Security Advisors.
Modi said, “We believe that by encouraging trade and investment between our countries we can take our industrial and economic cooperation to a new level.”
The two sides also signed an agreement for cooperation in the agriculture sector, which will enable them to cooperate in agriculture, seed production, research, animal husbandry and livestock production.
Support for Dialogue in Ukraine, People-to-People Ties
During the visit, the two countries expressed their support for diplomacy and dialogue in the case of Ukraine.
Additionally, the leaders expressed their strong support for the ongoing India-EU trade and investment negotiations, and the early implementation of the India-EU Connectivity Partnership.
The two PMs also decided to further strengthen people-to-people ties between the two countries.
As leaders of two ancient sea-faring nations with a long-standing maritime outlook, Modi and Mitsotakis shared their vision of a free, open and rules-based Mediterranean Sea and Indo-Pacific.
Additionally, both leaders directed their senior officials to ensure regular dialogue and agreed to encourage direct flights between Greece and India.
Meeting with President
Modi met the Greek President Katerina N. Sakellaropoulou who congratulated him on the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
The Indian PM expressed his condolences for the loss of life and property in Greece’s tragic incidents of forest fires.
The two leaders also discussed sustainable development, women-led development, India’s G20 Presidency, and the deepening of the India-Greek ties.
Modi Accorded Highest Honour of Greece
The Indian PM was conferred with the highest honour of Greece, the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour by the Greek president.
Modi is the first foreign Head of Government to receive the honour.
Glad to have met President Katerina Sakellaropoulou in Athens. We discussed several issues which will strengthen the India-Greece friendship. We also discussed ways to boost sustainable development. She congratulated India on the success of Chandrayaan-3. @PresidencyGR pic.twitter.com/aoQFtKMdQq
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2023
Upon being accorded the honour at the Presidential Mansion in Athens, Modi thanked the Greek President, government, and people for the special recognition.
He accepted the award on behalf of 140 crore Indians and said, “The shared values of India and Greece are the foundation of our long and trusted partnership.”
Greece-India Ties
India and Greece are in the process of strengthening their ties.
As Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis said in a recent interview with WION, Greece has appreciated India’s consistent position and support for a viable solution to the Cyprus issue.
Turkey and Greece have a sovereignty dispute over Cyprus, where Ankara occupies the northern part of the island.
Thus, refreshed Indo-Greek ties can be a bone of contention for India’s relations with Turkey, which shares sour relations with Greece over Cyprus and several islands in the Aegean Sea.
Turkey might also be affected by India’s recent closeness to Greece and Armenia given the Turkey-Pakistan-Azerbaijan axis formed in 2017.
Greece has supported the Indian government by refraining from taking positions on India’s Kashmir issue and the Citizenship Amendment Act.
The country has also supported India’s bid for permanent membership of the UN Security Council and its attempts to enter the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
The renewal of ties between New Delhi and Athens is expected to reap long term benefits for both countries attempting to find a new place in the global order amid the changed geopolitical realities.