Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred with the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour by Greek President Katerina N. Sakellaropoulou in Athens. He arrived in Greece on Friday for a daylong visit at the invitation of his counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
"PM Modi’s decisive contribution to the strategic promotion of Greek-Indian friendship in areas of mutual interest has also been recognised," the Ministry of External Affairs said. The Grand Cross of the Order of Honour is conferred by the President of Greece to Prime Ministers and eminent personalities who by reason of their distinguished position, have contributed to enhancing the stature of Greece.
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Upon receving the award, PM Modi said, "I thank President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the Government and people 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."
Modi started his engagements in Greece with a visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers in Athens. After paying tributes at the Tomb, he was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour.
Modi is the first Prime Minister of India to visit Greece in four decades. The last high-level Indian visit to Greece was in 1983 when the then-PM Indira Gandhi travelled to the country.
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Modi reached Greene after attending the 15th BRICS Summit in South Africa. He will hold talks with Mitsotakis to discuss ways to further deepen the relationship. He also met Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou.
"I have the honour to be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Greece after 40 years," said Modi earlier.
India and Greece enjoy civilisational ties, which have strengthened in recent years through cooperation in areas like maritime transport, defence, trade and investments and people-to-people ties, reported PTI.
Modi will also interact with business leaders from both countries, as well as with the Indian community in Greece during his day-long visit, reported PTI.
After landing in Athens, Modi said that the visit is meant for the "deepening India-Greece friendship" and he would also engage with the Indian community there.
