NEWS & EVENTSOFFICIAL VISITS

Official visit of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Athens

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a one-day official visit to Athens on August 25, 2023, at the invitation of the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. This was the first visit of an Indian PM to Greece after the visit of Shrimati Indira Gandhi in 1983 and is expected to intensify Greek-Indian political, economic and people-to-people exchanges.

The Indian Prime Minister was welcomed at the airport by Foreign Minister Georgios Gerapetritis and many members of the Indian community who live and work in Greece.

Upon his arrival in Athens, the Indian Prime Minister headed to the Unknown Soldier’s monument where he laid a wreath.

The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi was received early in the morning at the Presidential Palace by the President of the Republic Mrs. Katerina Sakelaropoulou, who welcomed him to Greece and conferred him the highest political distinction of the Grand Cross of the Order of Honor. Read more about the conferring of the Grand Cross of the Order of Honor and watch the video HERE.

Afterwards, he was welcomed by the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at his office. Extended talks between the delegations of two countries followed in which the excellent Greek-Indian relations and the decision to further upgrade them to strategic importance were confirmed. “Our history is accompanied by the same values: democracy, peace and justice. And it is precisely on this strong foundation of our long-standing relationship that we now upgrade our cooperation to a Strategic Relationship… We have agreed that we are fully aligned in the goal of maintaining maritime security, in our adherence to International Law and the Convention on the Law of the Sea – field critical, if we take into account common facts concerning the Eastern Mediterranean and the Indo-Pacific.” Mitsotakis said.

At the end of the talks, the two leaders made statements to the press. Read Narendra Modi’s speech in Hindi HERE

Afterwards, the Greek Prime Minister hosted a working lunch for Mr. Modi, with the participation of Greek and Indian businessmen. For the economic analysis read our article “Greece and India look to double their economic relations after Narendra Modi’s visit” in the forum of the Greek-Indian Business Association.

In the afternoon of the same day, Narendra Modi met with Greek Indologists and representatives of Indian culture in Greece. Read more about the meeting with the Greek Indologists HERE

This was followed by the Prime Minister’s speech to the members of the Indian community of Greece and a special reception with a rich cultural program, organized by the Indian Embassy at the Athens Conservatory.

Narendra Modi left late afternoon for Bengaluru, India.

The visit of the Indian Prime Minister was extensively covered by the Greek and Indian media and received very positive comments from the public who expect further expansion of cultural and economic relations between the two friendly countries.