New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Greece, described as “historic” as he was the first Indian prime minister to visit the country after 40 years, carried a significant business agenda, Greek news reports said.
Modi met with his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens, on Friday, August 25.
During his one-day visit, India discussed exploring alternative export routes post-Brexit, with a focus on Piraeus, Greece’s largest port, according to a news report. Athens is aiming to position itself as India’s “gateway to the European Union”, connecting it with Europe, Asia, and Africa.
“The visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Greece, the first in 40 years, went down in history. On a business level, if there was a group that stole the show, it is that of Gautam Adani, the Indian who was until the end of 2022 in the position of the second richest person on the planet according to the Forbes list and the richest Asian,” said a report in the Business Daily.gr. “According to information, the head of the Adani Group is interested in investing in Greek ports, having focused mainly on the port of Kavala and secondarily on that of Volos . Both Prime Minister Modi, who maintains close friendly relations with Adani, and other Indian businessmen reiterate that Greece can be India’s gateway to Europe. The acquisition of a port in the Aegean helps significantly in this direction.”
Thema reported that sources had pointed out that
“the Indian Prime Minister expressed the country’s interest in the acquisition of ports in Greece, while the fact that he was fully aware of this issue caused an impression. After all, there was also the first allusion to a deal of Indian dimensions that the vast country wishes to make: The reason for the interest of the Indian group Adani Group, the billionaire tycoon Gautam Adani (richest Asian and until last year number two on the list of Forbes with the richest people on the planet) for the acquisition of a port in Greece. Adani, according to what has become known, has focused on two ports: Primarily that of Kavala and secondarily that of Volos, while he is also interested in Alexandroupoli.”
The focus of the India-Greece partnership is initially on defence, Free Press Journal reported. The Indian Air Force took part in a European military exercise staged in Greece this spring, while India and Greece held a combined naval exercise in Crete. Furthermore, Greek fighter jets are expected to take part in an Indian Air Force drill for the first time in September.
During the meeting, Modi highlighted the goal of doubling bilateral trade by 2030 and announced an agreement in the field of agricultural production.
Greek City Times reported that Modi has expressed India’s interest in gaining access to ports in Greece.
Additionally, the Indian prime minister was joined by fellow businessmen, many of whom were either already involved in business ventures in Greece or interested in starting new ones. These entrepreneurs operate in various industries, spanning infrastructure, construction, shipping, energy, food chains, pharmaceuticals, tourism, and clothing.
Their visit was anything but forma, the report said, adding that they openly discussed their investment interests and engaged in meetings with Greek business counterparts, indicating a strong intent to collaborate and contribute to business initiatives in Greece