NEW DELHI, India – Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Thursday, underscoring the “mutual will” to strengthen and deepen the Greece-India strategic partnership, officials confirmed.
Mitsotakis Attends India AI Impact Summit
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, where Mitsotakis was attending a summit focused on shaping a global policy framework for artificial intelligence. The summit emphasized measurable social and developmental impact and effective management of emerging challenges.
Greece’s Ambition for IMEC Participation
Discussions primarily centered on Greece’s ambition to participate in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), a multinational infrastructure project designed to connect India with Europe via the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel. Mitsotakis highlighted Greece’s intention to serve as a hub and gateway for India to Europe, citing its strategic geographic position and existing infrastructure.
Officials clarified that the IMEC corridor is intended to function complementarily, not competitively, with the maritime route through the Suez Canal.
New Trade Agreement and Economic Opportunities
These discussions followed weeks after a significant trade agreement between the European Union and India. This agreement eliminates tariffs of up to 45% on olive oil and reduces duties on kiwis from 33% to 10%, creating substantial opportunities for Greek agri-food exports.
Cooperation Across Key Sectors
The leaders also reviewed cooperation in critical sectors such as defense, shipping, shipbuilding, and infrastructure. This comprehensive review signals a broad-based approach to strengthening bilateral ties.
Expanding Diplomatic Presence and Tourism
In a move to facilitate increased interaction, two new consulates are planned in Mumbai and Bangalore. These will complement the existing embassy in New Delhi and the consulate general in Kolkata. This expansion comes amid expectations of increased tourism, further driven by the introduction of direct flights between the two countries.
The emphasis on a strategic partnership and economic cooperation highlights a concerted effort by both nations to leverage their strengths for mutual benefit. Greece’s geographical advantage and established infrastructure position it as a key player in connecting India with the broader European market.
The focus on artificial intelligence at the summit, where Mitsotakis was present, also indicates a shared interest in future technologies and their global impact. The discussions between the two leaders are expected to pave the way for concrete collaborations and investments in the near future, further solidifying the Greece-India relationship.
