New Delhi [India], February 17, 2024 – In a significant diplomatic development, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of Greece is set to undertake a State visit to India from February 21-22, marking the first bilateral Head of State/Government level visit from Greece to India in 15 years. This milestone visit comes at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, signifying the strengthening ties between the two nations.
Accompanied by senior officials and a high-powered business delegation, Prime Minister Mitsotakis is scheduled to be the Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker at the 9th Raisina Dialogue, 2024 in New Delhi. The Greek leader will also visit Mumbai before concluding his visit.
The ceremonial welcome for Prime Minister Mitsotakis will take place at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan. During his stay, he will engage in bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Modi, and the Indian Prime Minister will host a lunch banquet in his honor.
India-Greece relations were elevated to a ‘Strategic Partnership’ during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Greece in August 2023. Following the visit, PM Modi expressed confidence that the tour would enhance the friendship between India and Greece, particularly strengthening people-to-people linkages. Greece’s entry into the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and its prospective membership in the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) were also welcomed.
The relationship between India and Greece is built on shared cultural values, a commitment to economic growth, collaboration in security and defense, as well as cooperation in shipping and maritime affairs. The two countries align on regional and global issues and actively engage in various multilateral forums.
In the lead-up to Prime Minister Mitsotakis’s visit, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with Greek Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. Jaishankar shared details of the meeting on social media, stating, “Glad to meet Minister of National Defence of Greece @NikosDendias on #MSC2024 sidelines. Shared perspectives on the major security challenges facing the world today.”
Earlier engagements between the two nations included a meeting between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his Greek counterpart Athanasios Ntokos on February 8, focusing on collaborative efforts in security, technology, and infrastructure. Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Athens in August 2023 set the stage for further deepening the strategic partnership.
The State visit by Prime Minister Mitsotakis is anticipated to bolster and solidify the strategic partnership between India and Greece, enhancing cooperation across various sectors for mutual benefit.
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