Modi becomes first Indian PM to visit Greece in 40 years

Narendra Modi landed in Athens on Friday on an invitation from his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis, following a three-day BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. It marks the first Greek visit by an Indian prime minister in four decades.

Multiple media reports suggest Modi will sign a number of agreements on his tour and focus on pressing issues concerning defence cooperation, trade and investment, migration and shipping. The European nation is likely to seek India’s help in the privatisation of its seaports and airports.

The agenda includes discussions with Mitsotakis around deepening ties between the two countries, talks with the Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, interactions with business leaders and the Indian community in Greece, and a business lunch hosted by the Greek PM.

Greece’s Interest In Becoming The “Gateway To Europe For India”

MEA revealed Modi’s official visit to Greece in a press release, highlighting the civilisational ties shared by the two countries. Continued cooperation in areas like trade and investments, defence and maritime transport have strengthened their relations in recent years, it added.

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Greek Ambassador to India Dimitrios Ioannou revealed the prospect of upgrading “our long friendship” during Modi’s visit. Highlighting the notable cooperation between the countries in all important fields, he revealed Greece’s interest in becoming the “gateway to Europe for India”.

The Greek Ambassador also extended his congratulations to India for its successful Chandrayaan-3 mission, which has made the country the fourth in the world to make a soft landing on the lunar surface and the first to land near the Moon’s south pole.