Addressing a joint press conference with Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday said, "India and Greece support dialogue and diplomacy on the issue of Ukraine. " Following talks with his Greek counterpart in Athens, Modi said, "Today, India and Greece are cooperating on geopolitical and regional issues," adding that he, along with PM Mitsotakis has decided to take Indo-Greece ties to a level of strategic partnership. "We decided to boost cooperation in defence, security, infrastructure, education, and emerging technologies. In areas of defence and security, India and Greece have agreed on strengthening defence industrial cooperation apart from military ties. We have decided that there should be institutional India-Greece dialogue framework at the level of National Security Advisors (NSAs). We decided to firm up a migration and mobility partnership agreement soon to facilitate skilled migration between India and Greece," PM Modi said, adding that the two countries have set the target of doubling bilateral trade by 2030. Greek PM Mitsotakis too, earlier in his address, asserted that the ties between India and Greece have significantly improved. "Our ties in recent years have greatly improved. There's scope for wide range bilateral cooperation between the two nations, and our first objective is to double our bilateral trade." Modi began his speech by calling the coming together of India and Greece a "natural match." He said, "It is a match between two ancient civilizations of the world, between two ancient democratic ideologies, between the world's two ancient trade and cultural relations." "The foundation of our relations is ancient and strong. We have both learnt from each other in the fields of science, arts and culture." VIDEO | "India and Greece support dialogue and diplomacy on the issue of Ukraine," says PM Modi while addressing the joint press conference with his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens. #PMModiInGreece pic.twitter.com/sIF4OETC91— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 25, 2023 Earlier, Modi was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour by Greek President Katerina N. Sakellaropoulou in Athens. In a statement, the MEA said that the honour was given to Modi for his "decisive contribution to the strategic promotion of Greek-Indian friendship in areas of mutual interest." The award is conferred upon "Prime Ministers and eminent personalities who by reason of their distinguished position, have contributed to enhancing the stature of Greece." Modi also met Sakellaropoulou and said that the success of Chandrayaan-3 is not only India's alone but also the whole of humankind. "The outcome of (analysis of the data collected by) the Chandrayaan-3 mission will help the entire scientific fraternity and humankind," said Modi. On arrival in Greece - a first by an Indian Prime Minister in 40 years - Modi said he is looking forward to productive discussions with the top leadership of Greece aimed at strengthening the bilateral relationship. #WATCH | PM Modi talks about the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission in his meeting with Greek President Katerina N. Sakellaropoulou in Athens "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… pic.twitter.com/LXp080KIh9 — ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2023 "Landed in Athens. Looking forward to a productive Greece visit aimed at deepening India-Greece friendship. I will be holding talks with @PrimeministerGR Kyriakos Mitsotakis and also interacting with the Indian community," Modi posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. As he landed in the Greek capital of Athens, the Indian community in Greece welcomed the prime minister by presenting him a Greek headdress. #WATCH | Indian community presents Greek headdress to PM Modi in Athens, accords him a warm welcome pic.twitter.com/XdH9Sf1mXY — ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2023 Modi flew to Greece from South Africa where he attended the 15th BRICS Summit and held talks with several world leaders to bolster India's relations with those countries. Taking to X, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "PM @narendramodi sets foot in the historic city of Athens for his first-ever visit to Greece. Warmly greeted by FM George Gerapetritis at the airport." Invited by Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Modi will hold meeting with him to further cement the relationship and is also likely to meet President Katerina Sakellaropoulou. During his day-long visit, PM Modi is also expected to interact with business leaders from both the countries, as well as with the Indian diaspora in Greece. "A packed day of engagements lie ahead in Athens. He will lay a wreath at the Tomb of an unknown soldier. He will thereafter meet the President of Greece and hold talks with the Prime Minister of Greece," Bagchi said in the video uploaded with the post. The countries enjoy civilisational ties, which, in recent years, have become stronger through cooperation in maritime transport, defence, trade and investments, people-to-people ties among others. The last prime ministerial visit to Greece took place in September 1983 during then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's trip to the country. "I have the honour to be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Greece after 40 years," Modi had said. - with inputs from PTI
