PM Modi in Greece Highlights: PM Modi conferred Grand Cross of the Order of Honour by Prez Sakellaropoulou in Athens

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday addressed the Indian community in Greece, during his visit. At the meet PM Modi said, “I have come here among my family members. The country has achieved a new feat in this holy month of Sawan. India has become the first country to reach the dark zone of the Moon. India has displayed its capabilities to world by hoisting its flag on Moon”.

‘Wherever you may be, your hearts beat for India’ he added. 

“I congratulate all of you for the massive success of Chandrayaan. We refer to the Moon as 'Chanda Mama'. I also extend my wishes for Rakhi in advance” PM Modi said.  

PM Modi dedicated the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour bestowed on him by Greece to all fellow countrymen. "I have been conferred with Greece's highest civilian award (Grand Cross of the Order of Honour), I dedicate it to all my fellow countrymen," he said.

PM Modi reiterated India's post-Covid recovery achievements and said, “India's role changing fast in post-Covid world order, our G20 presidency theme talks of entire world having shared future”. 

PM Narendra Modi says, "Greece expressed its support for the India-EU Trade and Investment Agreement. Over the Ukraine issue, both countries support diplomacy and dialogue. For Greece's cooperation at the UN and other international platforms, I thanked him (Greek PM). I am thankful to him for his best wishes and encouragement for India's G20 presidency."

PM Narendra Modi says, "I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the people and President of Hellenic Republic for honouring me with The Grand Cross of the Order of Honour. I accepted this on behalf of 140 crore Indians and expressed my gratitude."

‘Glad to have met President Katerina Sakellaropoulou in Athens. We discussed several issues which will strengthen the India-Greece friendship. We also discussed ways to boost sustainable development. She congratulated India on the success of Chandrayaan-3.’ PM Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis during which they discussed ways to further deepen bilateral relations in various sectors.

This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Greece in the last 40 years.

Mitsotakis warmly welcomed Modi after his meeting with President Katerina N Sakellaropoulou. The two leaders then discussed ways to further cement bilateral ties.

Earlier, during his talks with President Sakellaropoulou, Modi said the success of Chandrayaan-3 is not only the victory of India, it is the triumph of the entire humankind.

"The findings of the data collected by the Chandrayaan-3 mission will help the entire scientific fraternity and humankind," Modi said, thanking the president for her wishes on India's successful Moon mission.

PM Narendra Modi meets his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens

PM Modi meets Greek President Katerina N. Sakellaropoulou in Athens and the two leaders talks about the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission during the interaction.  

"The success of Chandrayaan-3 is not only of India alone but it is a success for the whole of humankind... The results of the data collected by the Chandrayaan-3 mission will help the entire scientific fraternity and humankind."

Beginning his official engagements during a day-long official visit to Greece, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid a wreath at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier in Athens on Friday.

Prime Minister Modi also received a guard of honour following the wreath-laying ceremony.

PM Modi on Friday arrived in Greece for his maiden visit at the invitation of his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis. At the Athens International Airport, PM Modi was received by Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis.

He received a rousing welcome upon his arrival at the Hotel Grande Bretagne with the Indian Community gathered at the hotel breaking out into chants of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai,' 'Modi, Modi.'

The members of the Indian Community were ween waiving the tricolour and some of them were also beating drums to mark PM Modi's visit, the first Indian Prime Minister in the last 40 years to visit the country.

PM Modi shares picture from Greece. See photos

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said he is looking forward to productive talks with the top leadership of Greece aimed at deepening the bilateral friendship as he arrived here on a daylong visit, the first by an Indian premier in 40 years.

Modi is here at the invitation of Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

He arrived in the Greek capital from South Africa where he attended the 15th BRICS Summit and held bilateral meetings with several world leaders to further cement India's relations with those countries.

He was received by Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis at the airport.

"Landed in Athens. Looking forward to a productive Greece visit aimed at deepening India-Greece friendship. I will be holding talks with @PrimeministerGR Kyriakos Mitsotakis and also interacting with the Indian community," Modi posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

One if the members of the Indian community, who met PM Modi, said “We feel great that PM Modi has come here. I am sure the PM's visit to Greece will raise the name of the country here,”

PM Modi interacts with children of the Indian community as he arrives at Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens, Greece.

PM Modi receives a warm welcome by the Indian diaspora as he arrives in Athens for a one-day visit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Greece on the invitation of Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis, marking the first Indian Prime Ministerial visit to Greece in four decades. Greeted with a ceremonial reception, Modi's trip followed his participation in the BRICS summit in South Africa, signifying the significance of this diplomatic journey.

The last Prime Ministerial visit from India to Greece was in 1983.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has just arrived here from Johannesburg after attending the 15th BRICS summit," Official Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi also posted a video on X.

Bagchi said, "A packed day of engagement lie ahead in Athens. He will little later lay a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Thereafter, he will meet the president of Greece and then hold talks with the Prime Minister of Greece."

"He will also meet with business leaders from both sides. Before departing, he will have an interaction with the community who are all excited to receive him after the success of the Chandrayan mission," he said.

PM Modi arrives at Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens, meets Indian diaspora gathered outside the hotel to greet him on his arrival in Greece

Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis received PM Modi on his arrival in Athens.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for Greece from Johannesburg, South Africa, where he attended the BRICS summit. The visit was at the invitation of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. This will be the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Greece in 40 years. (click here)

PM Modi is on a one-day visit to Greece and hence, the schedule is extremely tight. 

Elaborating on the same, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "The PM will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Thereafter, he will meet the President of Greece, hold talks with the Greek PM and meet with business leaders of both sides. Before departing, the PM will interact with the Indian community who are all excited to receive him after the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission."

A member of the Indian diaspora awaiting PM Modi's arrival outside Athens hotel says " We feel proud to be an Indian...We are very excited. Welcome, Modi ji!"

PM Modi has landed in Athens on a one-day official visit to Greece

PM Modi arrives in Athens, Greece for a one-day visit. This is the first visit to the European country by an Indian PM after 40 years.

PM Narendra Modi lands in Athens on a one-day official visit to Greece

The Indian diaspora in Greece is excited as it awaits PM Modi's arrival in Athens, scheduled later today.

The visit is at the invitation of Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis. This will be the first visit by an Indian PM to Greece in 40 years.

Members of the Indian diaspora gather outside the hotel in Athens where PM Modi will stay during his one-day official visit to Greece today

Greek students from a Bollywood dance academy prepare to perform at the Indian diaspora event in Athens, Greece.

PM Narendra Modi will visit Greece today at the invitation of Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Greece in 40 years.

Greek Ambassador to India Dimitrios Ioannou has said that during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Greece visit, the two countries will upgrade their long friendship.

"We are very happy to welcome him. This will be the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister after 40 years. During this visit, we will upgrade our long friendship...” the Greek Ambassador told ANI.

“We (India and Greece) are advancing our cooperation in all important fields including security, culture, trade, economy and technology. This is an important comprehensive partnership... We would like to be the gateway to Europe for India. Our ports can be a gateway for Indian products to enter the European markets..." he said.

The Greek Ambassador also congratulated India for Chandrayaan-3’s successful landing on the Moon.

“I would like to congratulate you because India is only the fourth country that has managed to land on the Moon. Besides that, it was the first time that someone could land on the dark side of the Moon and this was really an achievement. After only 75 years of independence, India was able to achieve this...” he said.

He added that the Greek people have very fond feelings for the Indian people. “They like them (Indians) for what they have contributed to international civilization, for their peaceful struggles for Independence and for their toil for a better life. I think that the Indian people have similar feelings for the Greek people,” he said.

The Greek Ambassador while speaking on cross-border terrorism, said: "This (cross-border terrorism) is the worst kind of terrorism and we condemn this kind of terrorism on every occasion and we heavenly condemned, the Bombay terrorist act in 2008..."

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Athens, Greek students from a Bollywood dance academy in Athens are preparing to perform at the Indian diaspora event.

The students could be seen dancing to the tunes of the Oscar-winning song 'Naatu Naatu'

PM Modi will visit Greece today at the invitation of Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Greece in 40 years.

Choreographer Suman Rudra said: "We are very excited that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming to our country. We have prepared something special for him. This is the first time Greek women will participate in the Indian diaspora to welcome our prime minister. We promote Indian classical dance forms, culture and Indian festivals..."

Director of the first Bollywood dance academy in Greece, Anna Dimitratou sang the 'Bole Chudiyan' song from the film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.

A student from the Bollywood dance academy who will perform in front of PM Modi in Athens, Greece, said: "We are really excited, it is his first visit to Greece. We are really honoured. I have been here for six years and have learnt Indian dance form Bharatanatyam..."

The Indian Diaspora in Athens, Greece has expressed excitement and happiness over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to the country.

Managing Director of Startup Greece Organization Thanos Paraschos said it is very important to have leaders like PM Modi.

“I am here to welcome PM Modi to Greece. We have seen remarkable progress in the technology that has contributed to the world, in the last nine years. Yesterday, was a remarkable day for humanity, we saw the efforts of India Space technology come to life,” Paraschos told ANI.

“We are very proud and honoured to have PM Modi in our country. It is very important for us to have leaders like PM Modi. India and Greece have to work together to build strong ties and to make the world a better place,” he added.

Daljeet Singh who has been living in Greece for the last 30 years, said, "...It felt good to know that PM Modi is coming here...It was great of him to open the corridor to Pakistan (Kartarpur Corridor)...We will welcome him with 'Bhangra'..."