In the aftermath of a bilateral meeting between India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and Greece's Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, last week, a notable emphasis was placed on the enduring vitality of the India-Greece bilateral relationship. Despite the absence of an Indian Prime Ministerial visit to Greece since 1983, Prime Minister Modi underscored that the warmth and significance of their relations have remained undiminished. However, it's noteworthy that the lack of high-level interactions has resulted in a deficiency of closely knit strategic ties, in contrast to India's robust associations with neighboring European countries like France, Spain, Italy, and Cyprus.
The timing of Prime Minsiter Modi's visit, which coincided with Mitsotakis's recent re-election in June, was indicative of a concerted effort to invigorate these relations. With this endeavor in mind, India and Greece have taken a decisive step by agreeing to establish a formalized "Strategic Partnership." This landmark announcement was complemented by the revelation of plans for a structured dialogue mechanism involving their respective National Security Advisers. Additionally, the leaders divulged intentions to cultivate a partnership concerning skilled migration and mobility, alongside collaborative efforts aimed at expediting the ongoing negotiations for the India-European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreement on Connectivity.
Although historical threads link the two nations, particularly through Alexander the Great's conquests in 326 BCE, modern interactions have predominantly revolved around facets such as tourism, trade (approximating $2 billion), and labor migration. These interactions, however, have been bereft of a comprehensive bilateral strategy. In an interview with the Greek newspaper Kathimerini, Narendra Modi expressed his optimism about the synergistic potential between India's aspiration to establish itself as a global manufacturing hub and Greece's parallel ambition to serve as an "economic gateway" to the European Union. Beyond economic realms, discussions also encompassed the restoration of cultural artifacts, offering a shared avenue for advocating UNESCO legislation to reclaim and safeguard their historical heritage.
The strategic underpinnings of this burgeoning partnership extend beyond economic and cultural dimensions. Prime Minister Modi's proactive outreach aligns with Greece's endeavor to diversify its economic options, a crucial objective considering its past economic challenges and prior indebtedness to Chinese investments. Notably, Greece's deepening ties with Israel and Cyprus, strategically formed to counterbalance Turkish influence, could provide a foundation for cooperation with India. This possibility is heightened by existing tensions between Delhi and Ankara over issues pertaining to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Kashmir conflict.
Furthermore, both India and Greece share maritime histories that have forged concerns about upholding maritime security in accordance with international laws. Prime Minister Mitsotakis aptly highlighted the "common" interests that unite the Eastern Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific regions. In a notable show of support, Mitsotakis hailed the success of Chandrayaan-3, India's lunar exploration mission, as a positive omen for the bilateral relationship. He underscored the need to harness this favorable momentum, urging both nations to collaboratively navigate the currents of cooperation, thereby avoiding another protracted hiatus akin to the four decades since the last Prime Ministerial visit.
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