The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) welcomed Gerapetritis, emphasizing the significance of his visit. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated on X:
“Warm welcome to Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis of Greece on his official visit to India. His visit will further strengthen India-Greece ties & enhance our growing strategic partnership.”
India and Greece share a history of strong bilateral cooperation, with Greece supporting India’s stance on key issues like Jammu & Kashmir while India reciprocates by recognizing Greece’s concerns over Cyprus. Additionally, Greece has backed India’s bid for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Growing Indian Community in Greece
The Indian diaspora in Greece has been steadily increasing. As per the 2011 Greek census, around 11,333 Indian nationals resided in the country, with the number now estimated at 13,000-14,000. The majority of them are of Punjabi origin, primarily engaged in farming, construction, and manufacturing. Many of them settled permanently through Greece’s amnesty programs, the most recent being in 2005.
Economic Collaborations and Investments
Economic ties between India and Greece have expanded significantly. Some notable developments include:
- GMR Airports Ltd., an Indian infrastructure giant, has partnered with Greece’s GEK-Terna to build an EUR 850 million airport in Kasteli, Crete.
- UPL Hellas, a subsidiary of Indian multinational UPL, provides agricultural solutions to Greek farmers and the broader regional market.
Future Prospects of India-Greece Relations
Gerapetritis’ visit is expected to further strengthen India-Greece relations, focusing on:
✅ Enhanced diplomatic engagement
✅ Increased economic cooperation
✅ Strategic collaborations in trade and infrastructure
This visit marks another step in deepening the strategic partnership between the two nations, paving the way for stronger bilateral cooperation.
