INDIA: In a significant testament to the enduring partnership between India and Greece, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was bestowed with the prestigious Grand Cross of the Order of Honour by Greek President Katerina N. Sakellaropoulou during his official visit to Athens.
The award, a symbol of the robust bilateral relations between the two nations, was announced on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) by Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs. The Grand Cross of the Order of Honour recognizes Prime Minister Modi’s role in fostering and deepening the ties between the two ancient civilizations.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Greece marked a historic occasion, as it had been four decades since an Indian Prime Minister last visited the nation. Despite the temporal gap, the leaders of both nations emphasized the unwavering strength and warmth of their relationship. During a joint press conference, Prime Minister Modi expressed, “Greece and India are a natural match between two ancient civilizations of the world.”
In discussions with his Greek counterpart, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the leaders resolved to elevate their countries’ relations to a strategic level. The areas of focus for this enhanced cooperation include defense and security, infrastructure development, agriculture, education, emerging technologies, and skill development. Both nations pledged to empower military relations and collaborate within the defense industry.
Notably, the leaders engaged in talks about countering terrorism and enhancing cybersecurity through mutual cooperation. A platform for National Security Advisor (NSA)-level dialogue is set to be established, underscoring the commitment to addressing shared security concerns.
Acknowledging the robust growth of bilateral trade, the leaders unveiled an ambitious goal to double the trade volume by 2030. To facilitate greater people-to-people exchanges, India and Greece are working towards a Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement that will simplify skilled migration between the two nations.
The Greek President also lauded India’s successful Chandrayaan-3 moon mission. In response, Prime Minister Modi stated, “The success of Chandrayaan-3 is not only of India alone but a success for the whole of humankind.” He emphasized that the data collected by Chandrayaan-3 would significantly contribute to scientific advancements and benefit humanity on a global scale.
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