Official visit of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Athens
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.
Η Ελλάδα και η Ινδία συνδέονται με ιστορικούς δεσμούς φιλίας εδώ και χιλιάδες χρόνια. Σήμερα οι δύο χώρες μας μοιράζονται κοινές δημοκρατικές αξίες και μία σταθερή δέσμευση στο Διεθνές Δίκαιο. Οι διμερείς μας σχέσεις είναι ισχυρότερες από ποτέ. https://t.co/0lZjlrrjFD pic.twitter.com/oQS4WFolZ5
— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) August 25, 2023
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.
Landed in Athens. Looking forward to a productive Greece visit aimed at deepening India-Greece friendship. I will be holding talks with @PrimeministerGR Kyriakos Mitsotakis and also interacting with the Indian community. pic.twitter.com/CaHaYoa5yb
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2023
#WATCH | PM Modi arrives in Greece on a one-day official visit pic.twitter.com/Dxw6lDmPgx
— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2023
Amidst the historic landscapes of Greece, the warmth and hospitality of the Indian community shines brightly. A heartfelt thank you to them for the warm welcome. pic.twitter.com/kJO7O5bCLu
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2023
A special welcome in Athens. 🇮🇳 🇬🇷 pic.twitter.com/XXIgRhCPa4
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2023
ਮੇਰਾ ਗ੍ਰੀਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਭਾਰਤੀ ਭਾਈਚਾਰੇ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਨਿੱਘਾ ਸੁਆਗਤ ਕੀਤਾ ਗਿਆ। ਮੈਂ ਇੱਥੇ ਕਈ ਸਿੱਖ ਭੈਣਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਭਰਾਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦੇਖ ਕੇ ਖੁਸ਼ ਹੋਇਆ। ਸੱਚੇ ਸਿੱਖੀ ਸਿਧਾਂਤਾਂ ਦੇ ਧਾਰਨੀ ਹੋ ਕੇ, ਉਹ ਇੱਥੇ ਬੜੀ ਸਦਭਾਵਨਾ ਨਾਲ ਰਹਿ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ। pic.twitter.com/Vfjy6K24lH
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2023
Upon his arrival in Athens, the Indian Prime Minister headed to the Unknown Soldier’s monument where he laid a wreath.
PM @narendramodi laid a wreath at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier in Athens, Greece. pic.twitter.com/SYznTt6ng0
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 25, 2023
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
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.
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
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.
Είχα την τιμή να υποδεχθώ σήμερα τον Πρωθυπουργό της Ινδίας @narendramodi. Η συνάντησή μας αποτελεί μια καινούργια αφετηρία στις σχέσεις Ελλάδας-Ινδίας. Σηματοδοτώντας μια πολύ σημαντική στιγμή στην κοινή διαδρομή και τους δεσμούς που ενώνουν τις χώρες μας εδώ και πολλούς αιώνες. pic.twitter.com/IjJVvACcnL
— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) August 25, 2023
Υιοθετήσαμε μία πολύ σημαντική Κοινή Δήλωση, που μετατρέπει τη σχέση μας σε στρατηγική. Επισημαίνοντας έτσι την ανάγκη να πορευτούμε ως συνοδοιπόροι απέναντι στα στοιχήματα του αύριο, δρώντας από κοινού σε μέτωπα που έχουν να κάνουν με τη διπλωματία και την ασφάλεια. pic.twitter.com/59Tscd1ybE
— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) August 25, 2023
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
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.
A boost to 🇮🇳-🇬🇷 business ties.
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) August 25, 2023
PM @narendramodi addressed the business delegations of India and Greece at a business lunch hosted by @PrimeministerGR Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
PM urged the business community to take advantage of the positive momentum in India-Greece relations to… pic.twitter.com/UxqTI5A7tV
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
Had an insightful interaction with Professor Dimitrios Vassiliadis and Dr. Apostolos Michailidis. Both have an association with BHU and are passionate about Hindi, Sanskrit and Indian studies. We discussed ways to deepen India-Greece cultural cooperation. pic.twitter.com/Rcf6LyAEX3
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2023
In Athens, I had the opportunity to meet Guru Dayanidhi Das Ji. Associated with ISKCON, he has been making innumerable efforts to make Indian culture popular among the youth of Greece. He is also at the forefront of many community service efforts. pic.twitter.com/Q3oUrsSHvl
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2023
Konstantinos Kalaitzis loves India, particularly Indian music and culture. This passion is also shared by his family. This small video gives a glimpse of it. pic.twitter.com/hoJARzhjcj
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2023
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.
This Greece visit is a very special one. It will add great momentum to India-Greece friendship, particularly people-to-people linkages. I also had a very memorable interaction with the dynamic Indian community here. Gratitude to PM @PrimeministerGR @kmitsotakis, the Government…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2023
Touched by the affection of Indian diaspora in Athens. Addressing a community programme. https://t.co/xD7YBdMvG2
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2023
The relations between India and Greece date back centuries: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/o9iqd6Tyat
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 25, 2023
Narendra Modi left late afternoon for Bengaluru, India.
PM @narendramodi emplanes for India after successfully concluding his first ever visit to Greece and elevating 🇮🇳-🇬🇷 ties to ‘Strategic Partnership’. pic.twitter.com/LSm9acHSyN
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) August 25, 2023
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.