'Today, India Is a Great Power On The World Stage': Greek PM's Top 10 Quotes From Raisina Keynote

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis shakes hands with his PM Narendra Modi during a photo opportunity ahead of their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, Feb 21. (Reuters)

Underlining the strength of the partnership between “two great nations” — India and Greece — visiting Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Wednesday the ties between the two democracies are rooted in millennia-old economic, cultural, and philosophical connections.

Lauding India’s democratic prowess during his keynote address at the 9th edition of the Raisina Dialogue, Mitsotakis highlighted its example as a refutation of notions that scale poses a barrier to democracy. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the audience, he underscored 2024 as a critical year for democracies globally and urged a united front against unprecedented threats.

Mitsotakis positioned India as a significant global power, applauding its role in peace, security, and climate change mitigation. He advocated for Greece’s pivotal role as an interlocutor between India, Europe, and the wider world, emphasising its strategic location as a conduit for trade and connectivity. During his address, the visiting head of state also championed initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC), highlighting its potential to foster peace and prosperity in the region.

The Greek PM stressed the shared commitment to democratic values between India and Greece, stressing the importance of dialogue, debate, and the preservation of democratic ideals in the face of emerging challenges. He concluded by urging collaboration and mutual learning between the two nations and reaffirmed the necessity of open discussions for global progress and stability.

Here are the top 10 quotes from Mitsotakis’s address:

• “Today is a moment to reflect upon and celebrate the strength of the partnership between our two great nations, between India and Greece.”
• “A partnership bound by economic, cultural, and philosophical ties stretching back millennia, between two allies sharing similar values.”
• “India’s example convincingly challenges any flawed notion that significant scale is a barrier to democracy. You are an example to the world, an example which should be celebrated.”
• “Democracies are constant works in progress, facing a range of unprecedented threats. 2024 will be a definitional year for democracy.”
• “India is a great power on the world stage, an important ally in the pursuit of peace and security, and a leading player in the fight against climate change.”
• “Greece’s geographic and strategic proximity makes it an interlocutor between India and Europe, and between the Global North and the South.”
• “Greece presents vast opportunities as a logistics center and international gateway, facilitating connectivity and trade between India, the Middle East, and Europe.”
• “We must promote peace and stability through projects like the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor, which can bring about prosperity for all participating countries.”
• “India and Greece share a commitment to democracy and a belief in the virtues of discussion, debate, and the preservation of democratic ideals.”
• “Our two peoples have much to learn from each other, and they also have much to give to the world. We must begin today with a commitment to public discourse and open discussions.”

Earlier on Wednesday, PM Modi welcomed his Greek counterpart to India, hailing it as a “historic occasion.” During a bilateral meeting here at the Hyderabad House, the two leaders reviewed bilateral ties and discussed deepening partnerships in areas of defence and security, as well as trade and investment.

Accompanied by senior officials and a high-powered business delegation, Mitsotakis is on a two-day State visit to India. This is the first bilateral Head of State/Government level visit from Greece to India after 15 years. The last Prime Ministerial visit from Greece to India took place in 2008. PM Modi visited Athens on August 25, 2023.