"Greece-India: a historic visit and the new upgraded Strategic Partnership"
Yesterday’s visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Athens, 40 years after Indira Gandhi's last respective visit in 1983, was rightly considered historic. It was even marked by the overall enhancement of Greek-Indian bilateral relations and the announcement by the two Prime Ministers of the new Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
It is well known that Greece and India share a long-standing friendship, which is based on common values. We both stand out for our unwavering commitment to International Law, particularly the Law of the Sea, as well as our profound belief in dialogue, diplomacy and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
By virtue of the new upgraded Strategic Partnership between Greece and India, our country embarks on a more systematic and targeted cooperation with one of the world's largest and most dynamic economies and a country with a significant role on the international stage.
The Indian Prime Minister’s choice to visit our country constitutes an explicit recognition of Greece's current active presence and enhanced role in international affairs. It is an objective the Greek government has methodically pursued over the past four years and continues to do so to the benefit of Greek citizens.
Bilateral economic relations and the prospects of reinforcing trade and mutual investment were high on the agenda of the discussions between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. After all, the fact that the Indian Prime Minister was accompanied by 8 leading Indian businessmen, operating in the food, construction, pharmaceutical and tourism sectors, and by the Head of the Indian Trade and Investment Promotion Organization, signals India's increased interest in strengthening economic and business ties with our country. Let us not forget that Greece is India’s gateway to Europe.
Bolstering economic relations with India - which has been a personal ambition of mine as I have business experience in the country - is of major importance for our country as well. This is because India represents an enormous market for Greek products and services. As a matter of fact, Greek companies can invest in India, availing themselves of its technological advancements, its available workforce and its local market. Accordingly, Indian companies are interested in investing in Greece, thereby coming closer to Europe and simultaneously strengthening the Greek economy.
The greatest prospects for synergies and cooperation lie in the research and technology domain due to India's high level of expertise, as well as in Renewable Energy Sources, which are of high priority for both countries and for the international community. Evidently, shipping and maritime security have traditionally been areas of enhanced bilateral cooperation, offering great potential for innovation and development of new technologies.
Through the upcoming business mission to India that we are planning at Economic Diplomacy in the coming months, following the meetings held in Athens between top Greek and Indian entrepreneurs, I hope that we will promote targeted partnerships and business ventures that will actively reinforce our bilateral economic relations.
August 26, 2023