Athens/New Delhi, Aug 25 (FN Bureau) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India and Greece agreed to double the bilateral trade by 2030 and will be working in strengthening the strategic partnership in various areas including defence and security. “Greek PM and I agree that our bilateral trade is increasing rapidly and there is immense potential for an increase in the times ahead too. So, we have decided to double our bilateral trade by 2030” he said in a joint press conference with his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens. “Today, we held discussions over mutual cooperation in the area of terrorism and cyber security. We have decided that there should also be an NSA-level dialogue platform”, he said.
Modi said, “India and Greece will soon be having an agreement on migration and mobility partnership”. He added that India and Greece are having cooperation on geopolitical and regional issues. “India and Greece are also a natural match between two ancient civilisations of the world and the foundation of our relation is ancient and strong”, he said. The Prime Minister held a bilateral talk with his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis at Maximos Mansion in Athens. The talks were held for “transforming” relationships between two nations and to discuss ways to further “deepen bilateral” relations in various sectors. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Greece in the last 40 years. Mr Mitsotakis warmly welcomed Modi after his meeting with President Katerina N Sakellaropoulou. In his initial remarks, after the meeting the Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the ties between India and Greece in recent years have greatly improved and there is scope for wide range of bilateral cooperation. Mr Mitsotakis said “Our first objective is to double our bilateral trade and both nations are ready to proceed side by side in dealing with the future challenges especially in the period of upheaval and war in Ukraine”.
PM Modi was also conferred the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour by Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou in Athens. In a social media post, X, Modi said, ” I and the President have discussed several issues which will strengthen the India-Greece friendship”. The Prime Minister also said, ” we also discussed ways to boost sustainable development. The President of Greece also congratulated India on the success of Chandrayaan-3.” During the meeting with President Sakellaropoulou, PM Modi said the success of Chandrayaan-3 is not only of India alone but it is a success for the whole of humankind. “The results of the data collected by the Chandrayaan-3 mission will help the entire scientific fraternity and humankind”, he said. The Prime Minister began his engagements in Greece by paying tribute to the Tomb of unknown soldiers in Athens. He was then accorded a Ceremonial Guard of Honour. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a war memorial located in Syntagma Square in Athens, in front of the Old Royal Palace. It is a cenotaph dedicated to the Greek soldiers killed during various wars. In the evening, Modi will interact with business leaders from both countries, as well as with the Indian community in Greece, before departing back to India. “India and Greece enjoy civilisational ties, which have strengthened in recent years through cooperation in areas like maritime transport, defence, trade and investments and people-to-people ties,” said the MEA.