At the invitation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, H.E. Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, is on a state visit to India from 21-22 February 2024. During his visit, besides holding bilateral discussions with the Prime Minister, he delivered the inaugural speech at the 9th Raisina Dialogue. He also called on the Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar. A high-powered official and business delegation accompanied Prime Minister Mitsotakis.
2. Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Mitsotakis reaffirmed the Strategic Partnership and instructed their teams to continue upgrading the bilateral agenda further and forging cooperation in all dimensions of political, economic, security, defence, maritime, shipping and cultural cooperation. They also exchanged views on important international and regional developments of mutual interests.
3. The leaders re-emphasized that the shared values of democracy, freedom, international peace and security, rules-based international order, respect for international law including UNCLOS, and human rights, as well as the shared historical linkages and long-standing ties between the two countries are at the core of the growing strategic relationship.
4. They expressed their appreciation on the progress implementing the decisions taken during Prime Minister Modi’s state visit to Athens in August 2023 and reaffirmed their resolve to enhance cooperation in mutually beneficial areas. They expressed satisfaction that NSAs of both countries have signed an MOU for regular bilateral dialogue on security issues.
Political, Security and Defense Cooperation
5. Underscoring the importance of working closely together to promote international and regional peace and prosperity, the two leaders agreed to hold regular contacts between the two foreign ministries to exchange views on global and regional security threats, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Indo-Pacific regions to deepen interaction and expand cooperation in security and strategic areas of common interest, including maritime, cyber and hybrid threats.
6. Both leaders reinforced their commitment to a free, open and rules-based Mediterranean Sea and Indo-Pacific, in accordance with the international law of the sea as reflected in UNCLOS, and with full respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and freedom of navigation to the benefit of maritime security and international peace and stability. It was agreed that the relevant Authorities would exchange legal and technical know-how on maritime security and UNCLOS issues in an institutionalized manner.
7. Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Mitsotakis discussed IMEEC’s (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor) perspectives for enhancing connectivity between India and Europe through engagement and cooperation among the countries of the region including in the fields of trade, commerce, investment, technology, energy, logistics, ports and infrastructure.
8. Prime Minister Mitsotakis expressed Greece’s interest in joining the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. Acknowledging Greece’s leadership on maritime issues, Prime Minister Modi welcomed Greece into this partnership with like-minded countries which seek to manage, conserve and sustain the maritime domain.
9. The leaders reaffirmed their shared objectives to advance defence cooperation, including defense industrial collaboration and innovation.
Economic Cooperation, Trade and Investment
10. In line with the objective of doubling the bilateral trade by 2030, which was agreed in Athens, Prime Minister Mitsotakis held meetings with Indian business leaders in New Delhi and Mumbai. He was accompanied by 63 CEOs and industry leaders from various sectors. Prime Minister Mitsotakis invited Indian businesses to seize the opportunities provided by the re-invigorated Greek economy and invest in Greece in ports, logistics, energy, and supply chains. The implementation of the MoUs between Enterprise Greece and CII, Enterprise Greece and FICCI and Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry with FICCI was emphasized.
11. The leaders underscored their willingness to deepen the already established cooperation in fields of significant importance for both economies, such as shipping, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals.
12. They also agreed to focus on work to enhance cooperation exchanging best practices in the sphere of innovation, digital economy. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the advanced stage of introducing the Indian developed Unified Payment Interface (UPI) to the Greek financial system and noted the progress being achieved in facilitating cross border money transfer between India and Greece with the signing of the MoU between Eurobank and NPCI (UPI).
13. They underlined that India and Greece would work to enhance cooperation in space science, nano-technology, bio-technology and clean technologies / renewable energy. They highlighted the enormous potential of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for promoting economic and social goals and cooperation with a focus on e-governance and e-public service delivery, including e-learning, telemedicine, re-skilling and up-skilling of young talent in areas of new and emerging technologies.
14. They pointed out the importance of tourism as a key sector for continued economic growth. Prime Ministers Modi and Mitsotakis noted that tourist flows result in better understanding between people and should be further promoted. It was agreed to encourage the private sector to establish direct flights between Greece and India.
Migration & Mobility
15. The two leaders agreed on a speedy conclusion of the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement (MMPA) between the two countries that would facilitate labour mobility between the two countries.
People to people ties
16. Both leaders appreciated the long-standing cultural exchanges and enrichment between India and Greece, particularly the role of Greek Indologists and Indian Hellenists. They welcomed efforts to promote bilateral exchanges in music, dance, theatre, films, literature, museums, archives, and festivals.
17. They agreed that preserving ancient sites and monuments would raise cultural awareness among the people of the two countries. The leaders encouraged both sides to strengthen cooperation under UNESCO.
18. They discussed ways to advance collaborative education partnerships between Greek and Indian Universities, as well as partnerships between scholars and think tanks focused on regional and international issues, utilizing the full range of networking initiatives including the MOU between Raisina Dialogue and Delphi Forum.
EU and India relations
19. Both leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to deepen the India-EU Strategic Partnership and to work together in the implementation of the India-EU Connectivity Partnership, and reiterated their firm support to the ongoing negotiations for an India-EU Free Trade Agreement.
Global Issues
20. Prime Minister Mitsotakis congratulated Prime Minister Modi on the exemplary chairmanship of G20, which successfully and inclusively addressed important and complex Global South issues.
21. The two leaders recalled their strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations (including cyber-terrorism), whenever, wherever, and by whom-so-ever committed and the use of terrorist proxies for cross-border terrorism. Both reiterated the urgent need for all countries to take immediate, sustained, verifiable and irreversible action in this regard.
22. The two leaders agreed to jointly address the interconnected challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, including through cooperation in disaster management. In this context, they highlighted the importance of the 9th Our Ocean Conference to be held in Athens on 16-17 April 2024.
Cooperation in Multilateral Fora
23. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and the principles of the United Nations Charter. The two sides agreed to work together to safeguard these fundamental principles through regular bilateral consultations and coordination at multilateral fora.
24. They affirmed their commitment to achieving comprehensive reforms of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in order to reflect the international system realistically. India reiterated its support for Greece’s UNSC candidature for the term 2025-26; Greece expressed its support for India’s bid for the term 2028-29.
25. Prime Minister Mitsotakis underlined the importance of India's leadership in the International Solar Alliance (ISA). India appreciated Greece's support for the ISA.
26. Prime Minister Mitsotakis thanked Prime Minister Modi for his warmth for the people of Greece and the gracious hospitality extended to him and his delegation during this visit.
New Delhi
February 22, 2024