New Delhi, August 25, 2023: Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on his inaugural official visit to Greece, commencing with a poignant wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier in Athens on Friday. Paying his respects to the fallen, Prime Minister Modi received a guard of honour, an emblem of the strong bonds between the nations.
The visit comes at the invitation of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and it marks a momentous occasion as Prime Minister Modi becomes the first Indian leader to visit Greece in the past four decades. Welcoming Prime Minister Modi at the Athens International Airport was Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, a gesture symbolizing the warmth of diplomatic relations.
As he arrived at the Hotel Grande Bretagne, the Indian Community demonstrated their enthusiasm with chants of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and ‘Modi, Modi.’ The hotel’s foyer was adorned with the tricolour, and the beat of drums resonated in honor of the distinguished guest.
Interacting with children and their parents at the hotel, Prime Minister Modi shared moments of connection. A young girl presented him with a Greek headdress and showcased her artwork, while also capturing a memorable selfie with the Prime Minister.
During his stay, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to meet his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The agenda includes discussions to further deepen the collaborative ties between the two nations, spanning areas such as maritime transport, defense, trade, investment, and people-to-people connections. Business leaders from both countries will engage in productive interactions, and the Indian community in Greece will have the opportunity to interact with the Prime Minister.
The visit strengthens the enduring civilizational relationship between India and Greece, which has flourished in recent years through multifaceted cooperation. This landmark visit follows a meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in New York in September 2019, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
