Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will deliver the keynote address at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is scheduled to undertake a state visit to India, during which he will assume the role of Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker at the 9th Raisina Dialogue, 2024 in New Delhi.

From February 21 to 22, Prime Minister Mitsotakis will be joined by Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, senior officials, and a prominent business delegation.

According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), this visit marks the first bilateral engagement at the Head of State or Head of Government level between Greece and India in 15 years. The previous Prime Ministerial visit from Greece to India occurred in 2008 when then-Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, accompanied by Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, visited India in January 2008.

During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Greece in August 2023, the relationship between India and Greece was upgraded to a ‘Strategic Partnership’.

Prime Minister Modi expressed his belief that this visit to Greece would further strengthen the bond between the two nations, especially in terms of people-to-people connections. Additionally, he extended a warm welcome to Greece’s inclusion in the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and anticipated Greece’s membership in the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), as per the statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The relationship between India and Greece is founded on shared cultural values, a mutual dedication to advancing economic prosperity, and cooperation in areas such as security and defense, shipping, and maritime affairs. It is characterized by alignment on regional and global matters, and the two nations have demonstrated close collaboration in various international forums.

Before returning to Athens, Prime Minister Mitsotakis will also visit Mumbai.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis will receive a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan (President’s House). Bilateral discussions between Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Mitsotakis will take place, followed by a lunch banquet hosted by Prime Minister Modi in honor of his esteemed guest.

India and Greece have witnessed frequent engagements with Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar meeting Greek Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias on Tuesday.