Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of Greece undertook a State Visit to India from 21st to 22nd February 2024. He visited New Delhi after last visiting in May 2022. He was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising several Ministers and senior Government officials.
Meetings with the Indian Leadership
- PM Mitsotakis held extensive bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to strengthen ties.
- He called on President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and held talks with External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar.
- He interacted with India-Greece Business Forum, Think Tanks and media during the visit.
Key Outcomes of the Bilateral Meeting
- Both leaders reviewed progress in various sectors since last meeting and set priorities.
- 7 MoUs signed in areas like ports, shipping, culture, training diplomats and migration & mobility.
- Decision to facilitate two-way investment flow and enhance trade partnership taken.
Strategic Cooperation
- India and Greece acknowledged convergence on regional and global issues including counter-terrorism.
- They decided to cooperate closely at international multilateral organisations like the UN, focusing on maritime security, trade, culture, people-to-people ties and the environment.
Economic and Commercial Linkages
The key details regarding economic and trade relations are:
- Bilateral trade currently valued at US$ 530 million per annum noted as not reflective of potential.
- Investment opportunities in energy, infrastructure, defence, pharma, agriculture, shipping & ports and food processing etc. identified.
- Collaboration between StartUps through mechanisms like India-Greece Start Up help desk agreed.
Cultural Cooperation
- Two important MoUs signed on Cultural Exchange Program and Cooperation in Youth Affairs.
- India to supply ancient sculptures from JNU Museum to Greece National Sculpture Gallery for public display.
- Greece Festival to be held in India in 2024 and India Festival in Greece in 2025.
The following table depicts some key facts about India-Greece bilateral relationship:
| Parameter | Status |
| Diplomatic Relations established | May 1951 |
| High Level Visits since 2000 | 13 from India to Greece and 10 from Greece to India |
| Total Bilateral trade value (in US$ million) – 2023 | 530 |
| Indian companies active in Greece | >15 including GMR, SUN Pharma |
| Indian diaspora population in Greece | Approx. 12,300 |
| Prominent sectors for collaboration | Shipping & ports, energy, infrastructure |
Initiatives in Defence Sector
- Two sides emphasized their intent to expand military ties and upgrade Defence cooperation.
- Possible areas include joint military training, cyber security, joint exercises, defence hardware capacity building and co-development projects.
- India offered to support Greece on expanding capabilities in defence manufacturing and technology in line with Make in India vision.
Cooperation in Renewable Energy
- Greece noted India’s remarkable progress in promoting renewable energy, especially solar and wind power.
- Technical expertise from India to be leveraged by Greece in areas like green hydrogen, battery storage solutions and smart renewable energy grids.
- Greek companies welcomed to explore opportunities under India’s renewable energy programs.
Collaboration in Infrastructure and Shipping
- Greece noted India’s expertise in infrastructure building and smart cities and welcomed participation of Indian companies in upcoming projects in Greece across transport networks – roads, railways, ports/shipping and airports.
- Greece welcomed Indian business participation in ship repair, ship recycling and ship breaking segments in Greece considering expertise of Indian shipyards.
Tourism
- Both countries see mutual tourism potential considering rich ancient and cultural links.
- To boost tourism, improved air, maritime and overland connectivity proposed through effective policies.
- Film shooting industry linkages, medical tourism, adventure & faith tourism identified as areas for joint activities.
Agriculture
The key areas of cooperation in agriculture sector include:
- Exploring investments in specialized agro processing zones in India for production sharing.
- Facilitating trade in agri commodities like soybean meal, pulses, wheat, cotton and barley.
- Collaboration in wine production & olive cultivation through testing Indian grape varieties suitable for Greece agro-climatic conditions.
- Greece keen to replicate India’s agricultural extension systems using drones and AI for improving production.
The State Visit of Greek PM Mitsotakis provided new direction and momentum across multiple sectors including trade, investment, technology, mobility and culture. Both sides remain committed to realising the full potential of this special relationship guided by mutual trust and shared values of democracy and rule of law.
The discussions during the high level bilateral visit have set in motion concrete steps to further deepen ties between India and Greece across defence, energy, infrastructure, tourism, agriculture and other sectors leveraging complementarities that would also boost trade and investment flows.
