Narendra Modi Makes Historic Visit to Greece, First by an Indian Prime
Minister in 40 Years to strengthen the Strategic Partnership between the
nations
India and Greece are rekindling their age-old relationship. Following a bilateral meeting with Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that despite no Indian Prime Minister visiting Greece since 1983, the warmth of India-Greece bilateral relations remains undiminished.
Mr. Modi’s visit, shortly after Mr. Mitsotakis’s re-election in June, aimed to strengthen ties significantly. The two nations have agreed to establish a “Strategic Partnership” and introduced plans for a dialogue mechanism between their National Security Advisers, as well as cooperation to finalize negotiations for the IndiaEuropean Union (EU) Free Trade Negotiation on Connectivity partnership.
Mr. Modi sees the potential to merge India’s ambition to become a global manufacturing hub with Greece’s aspirations to serve as an “economic gateway” to the EU.
Their strategic partnership holds geopolitical significance. Greece, having overcome economic challenges, seeks to diversify its partnerships, including stronger ties with Israel and Cyprus, potentially aligning with India’s interests amid tensions with Turkey.
India and Greece, once ancient maritime powers, also share concerns regarding maritime security in line with international laws. Mr. Mitsotakis highlighted their “common” interests bridging the Eastern Mediterranean and the Indo-Pacific regions.
Successful landing of Chandrayaan-3, Greece viewed it as a promising sign for the relationship between the world’s most populous democracy and the birthplace of democracy itself.