“Our shared values serve as the bridge that brings us closer,” he said.
New Delhi:
Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Wednesday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said he has found in him a visionary leader and a true friend, adding that India-Greece relations go beyond bilateral contacts.
He said, “In Prime Minister Modi I have found a visionary, a prominent leader and, I can boldly say, a true friend. And the importance we attach to our relations with India is reflected not only in our bilateral contacts This is evident from the increase.” “Last year, but also in the partnerships we have developed,” the Greek PM said in a joint statement with PM Modi. Last year we signed an MoU in important sectors like agriculture and defence.
“This year we have been working and I am sure that we will very quickly finalize a very important agreement on migration and mobility. This will strengthen our cooperation on issues such as legal migration, fighting human trafficking, as well as “The offer will be a very important step forward. Young Indians will have the opportunity to come and work in Greece and benefit from the potential for growth of our economy and strengthening of our relations.”
Highlighting the growing cooperation between the two countries in many fields, the Greek PM said that both the countries are close to each other in many aspects and shared values work as a bridge that brings us closer.
“We are making significant progress towards deepening strategic cooperation in all areas of security and defence, investment and trade, science and technology, cyberspace, education, culture, tourism, agriculture. Greece and India are close to each other in many respects. Are close.” He said.
“Our shared values serve as the bridge that brings us closer. Both, I would say, share a certain ethos, or dharma, as you call it. We both, as the Prime Minister said , share a strong commitment to international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. We are both loyal to the United Nations Charter, to the principle of diplomacy and stability, and importantly, to the world’s oldest democracy “We, the world’s largest democracies, share the mutual political will to cooperate with each other. To establish partnerships and explore and create new synergies,” he said.
Earlier today, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis laid a wreath at Rajghat and paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. He was accompanied by his wife Mareva Grabowski-Mitsotakis.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who is on a two-day state visit to India, signed the visitor’s book at Rajghat. He also got a memento at Rajghat.
Additionally, Kyriakos Mitsotakis was also given a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Wednesday. PM Narendra Modi welcomed Mitsotakis and his wife in the courtyard of Rashtrapati Bhavan.
In a post on Twitter, MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “A formal welcome to our distinguished guest! PM Narendra Modi welcomes Hellenic Republic PM @kmitsotakis in the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Long gone.” Let it be an occasion to celebrate.” India-Greece Partnership.”
After receiving the Guard of Honour, the Greek Prime Minister said that the strategic partnership with India is of vital importance to Greece and he looks forward to bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Modi.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reached the national capital on Tuesday. Union Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi welcomed the Greek PM at the airport.
Notably, Mitsotakis is the chief guest and keynote speaker at the Raisina Dialogue 2024, which is scheduled to take place from 21-23 February.
In a post on Twitter, Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, said, “A warm welcome to the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic @kmitsotakis on his arrival in New Delhi on his first state visit to India. He was welcomed by MoS @M_Lekhit at the airport. PM Mitsotakis is the chief guest and keynote speaker at #RaisinaDialogue2024.”
Mitsotakis is accompanied by senior officials and a high-level business delegation. During his visit to India, PM Modi and his Greek counterpart Mitsotakis will hold bilateral discussions. PM Modi will also host a luncheon in honor of the visiting dignitary.
Notably, this is the first bilateral Head of State or Government level visit from Greece to India after 15 years, the last Prime Minister level visit from Greece to India was in 2008. PM Modi visited Athens on 25 August 2023.
“The visit of Prime Minister Mitsotakis is expected to further strengthen and deepen the strategic partnership between India and Greece,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release.
According to a press release from the Ministry of External Affairs, relations between India and Greece have been elevated to ‘strategic partnership’ during PM Modi’s visit to Greece in August 2023. Before returning to Athens, Mitsotakis will also visit Mumbai.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
