Greek PM Mitsotakis's India Visit a Historic Occasion, Bilateral Trade Will Double By 2030: PM Modi

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis speaks with PM Narendra Modi during their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, February 21, 2024. (Reuters)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis to India on Wednesday, hailing it as a “historic occasion.” During a bilateral meeting, the two leaders reviewed bilateral ties and discussed deepening partnerships in areas of defence and security, as well as trade and investment.

“Giving further impetus to India-Greece Strategic Partnership! PM @narendramodi & PM @kmitsotakis of the Hellenic Republic held productive discussions at Hyderabad House,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X. Speaking at a joint press conference, PM Modi said, “I am happy to welcome PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his delegation to India…The visit of the Greek PM to India after 16 years is a historic occasion. It’s a matter of happiness that we are heading towards doubling the bilateral trade by 2030…”

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.

Reflecting on deepening defense and security ties, PM Modi said, “The increasing cooperation in defence and security reflects our deep mutual trust.” He highlighted the collaboration between India and Greece in areas such as defence, cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, and maritime security. During the press conference, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of cooperation in fighting terrorism, noting, “In the fight against terrorism, India and Greece have the same concerns and priorities.”

Earlier today, the Greek PM was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan. India-Greece relations have been elevated to ‘Strategic Partnership’ during PM Modi’s visit to Greece in August 2023. They are based on shared cultural values, commitment to foster economic growth, collaboration in the fields of security and defence, shipping, maritime and are marked by convergence on regional and global issues, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). In an earlier release, MEA said the two countries have also been cooperating closely in various multilateral forums.