The leader of Greece, known for Alexander the Great, will soon visit India. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Greece’s Prime Minister, is expected to be the chief guest at the forthcoming Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi from February 21-24. This visit follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to Athens six months ago, aimed at strengthening ties.
Importance of Greece for India
It has become critical for India’s Mediterranean connections, showing interest in Greek ports and defence cooperation. And it is likely that Greece could serve as the starting point for India’s corridor to the Middle East and Europe.
Historical Relations
Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s visit (February 20-24) aims to enhance modern Greece and India relations. It is strategically significant as Seleucus the son of Antiochus, a general of Philip II of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great, had clashed in ancient India, with Chandragupta Maurya and formed family ties.
Additionally, in the court of Maurya, Megasthenes, ancient Greek historian and diplomat, was author of an account of India, the Indica, in four books. Therefore, this visit holds potential to revive historical and strategic bonds between the two nations.
Expected Agenda
According to sources, the focus of the visit is expected to be on deepening business ties. The visiting minister will not only meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the business delegation accompanying him will also visit the capital Delhi including Mumbai and Bengaluru.
The objective of the business delegation is to strengthen relations between India and Greece in areas like tourism, energy, medicines and logistics. But relations with Greece are also very important strategically for India.
Greece & Turkey
There has been a dispute between the two countries in the Mediterranean Sea and the Aegean Sea for the last several decades. There is a long enmity between the two countries regarding Cyprus also. Greece needs global support against Turkey. In such a situation, no country can be more important than India as a ‘world-leader’ i.e. Vishwaguru.
Why India?
Because Turkey has always supported Pakistan on the global platform on the issue of Kashmir. Be it the United Nations or the OIC (Organization of Islamic Countries), Turkey keeps raising the issue of Kashmir.
Recently Pakistan has received dangerous Bayraktar combat drones from Türkiye. Pakistan is preparing to deploy these Bayraktar drones on the border with India near Lahore.
Meanwhile …
Ahead of the Greece PM’s visit later this month, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday exchanged views on key regional issues with Greece’s National Security Advisor Athanasios Ntokos.
EAM Jaishankar posted on social media ‘X’ “Delighted to meet NSA Dr Athanasios Ntokos of Greece. An exchange of views on key regional issues, very much in tune with our strategic partnership.”
He further stated that the key regional issues are very much in tune with our strategic partnership. Last December, Greece’s Ambassador to India Dimitrios Ioannou said that India has a lot to offer to Greece and vice versa as there are certain complementarities between the two nations.
Ioannou highlighted the deep ties between India and Greece, emphasizing their consistently positive relationship and a sentimental connection. He described Greece as a gateway for Indian access to Europe, noting significant investment prospects, especially in cities like Athens and Thessaloniki, potentially transforming them into hubs akin to Dubai for Indian investors.
In August last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Greece, marking the first such visit by an Indian Prime Minister in four decades, underscoring the historical significance of the occasion.
In recent times, both countries have forged a strong alliance based on shared values of democracy, peace, and global development, as highlighted by the Ministry of External Affairs. Their mutual stance on international issues, including UN reforms and the Cyprus situation, further strengthens their bond.
Moreover, Greece recognizes India as a promising economic and commercial partner, further enhancing their bilateral relations. This symbiotic relationship signifies a promising future for cooperation and mutual growth between the two nations.