August 26th 2023.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made a historic visit to Greece, after 40 years since the last Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, visited the country in 1983. During the visit, he has struck yet another strategic partnership with the country, focusing primarily on defence.
The Indian Air Force has participated in a European military exercise in Greece this spring, and India and Greece held a combined naval exercise in Crete. Furthermore, Greek fighter jets are expected to take part in an Indian Air Force drill for the first time in September. Additionally, India is looking to access Greek ports for boosting its European exports, while the Greek government wants to cast Greece as India’s “bridge” to the EU.
The two countries have acknowledged the need to double bilateral trade by 2030 in infrastructure, agriculture, education and new and emerging technologies. They have agreed to establish an institutional dialogue framework at the level of national security advisors. Prime Minister Modi and his counterpart, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, have expressed excellent coordination on geopolitical, international, and regional issues, including the Indo-Pacific. They are also ready to work together to deal with various challenges, especially in a period of upheaval and war in Ukraine.
The two sides discussed mutual cooperation in the field of counter-terrorism and cyber security, and signed an agreement on agricultural cooperation. Discussions also covered digital payments, shipping, pharma, tourism, culture, education, and people-to-people ties. To facilitate skilled migration between the two countries, a migration and mobility partnership agreement is set to be inked soon.
As a token of appreciation for Modi's visit, the President of Greece, Katerina N Sakellaropoulou, awarded him with the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour award. The Indian diaspora in Athens gave him a rousing welcome with a traditional Greek headdress. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also congratulated Modi on the success of the Chandrayaan mission, terming it as a success for humanity.
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