Left: PM Narendra Modi,(India) Right: PM Katerina Sakellaropuo (Greece)
On August 25, 2023, the President of Greece, Katerina Sakellaropuo, conferred India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the Grand Cross of the Order of the Honour. His decisive contribution to the strategic promotion of the Greek-Indian Friendship in areas of mutual interest has been recognised, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
After receiving the Honour, PM Narendra Modi thanked the president and people of Greece, saying that this shows the respect the people of Greece have towards India.
“I thank President Katerina Sakellaropuo, the Government of Greece, for conferring upon me the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour. This shows the respect the people of Greece have towards India,” he tweeted on X (formerly known as Twitter).
The Citation of Order of Honour
The Citation of the Order says, “In the person of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an honour is bestowed upon the friendly people of India.
“On the occasions of the visit, the Greek State Honours the Prime Minister of India, a statesman who has tirelessly promoted the global reach of his country and who works systematically for India’s economic progress and prosperity, bringing about bold reforms. A statesman who has brought environmental protection and climate change a top priority of international activity,” the citation added.
All about the Order
The Grand Cross of the Honour is conferred by the President of Greece to Prime Ministers of States and eminent personalities who, by reason of their distinguished position to enhancing the stature of Greece. The Order of the Honour was established in 1975. The head of Goddess Athena is depicted on the front side of the star with the inscription “Only the Righteous Should be Honored”
PM Modi’s visit to Greece
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a one-day visit to Greece, arrived in Athens on Friday from South Africa, where he attended the 15th BRICS Summit held in Johannesburg and held meetings with several world leaders to further cement India’s relations with those countries.
PM Modi was warmly welcomed by the Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetrities at the airport. After the arrival, PM Modi led a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a war memorial dedicated to the Greek Soldiers who lost their lives in various wars in Athens on August 25, 2023. Later, he received a Guard of Honour too.
In a bid to cement the Indo-Greek Relations, PM Modi and President Katerina Sakellaropuo discussed several issues, including ways to increase sustainable development.
“Glad to have met President Katerina Sakellaropuo in Athens. We discussed several issues that will strengthen the India-Greece Friendship. We also discussed ways to boost sustainability, and she congratulated PM Modi and India on the success of Chandrayaan-3.
Praises for Chandrayaan-3
During his talks with Sakellaropuo, PM Modi said that the success of Chandrayaan-3 is not only a victory for India, it is the Triumph of entire mankind. “The Findings of the data collected by the Chandrayaan-3 mission will help the entire scientific fraternity and humankind,” he said, thanking the president for her wishes on India’s successful lunar mission.
The last visit to Greece by an Indian Premier took place in September 1983 when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi travelled to the country. India and Greece enjoy civilizational ties, which have strengthened in recent years through cooperation in areas like maritime transport, defence, trade, investment and people-to-people ties.
India-Greece Relations
India’s growing connection with Greece is also an efficient countermeasure against China’s expanding influence in the Mediterranean Region. Beijing has been strengthening its economic and military presence in the area, and New Delhi’s visit to Greece is a perfect move to check that growing influence. Modi also met the Indian Diaspora in Athens, who greeted him outside the airport as well as in Hotel Grande Bretagne.
At the hotel, PM Modi interacted with children and their parents. A little girl offered PM Modi a Greek headdress and briefly interacted with him, showing him a painting, she had prepared. The young girl also took a selfie with the Prime Minister.
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