A meeting with India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, was held today, Monday, at the Ministry of Environment and Energy by the competent minister Stavros Papastavrou, with the focus of the discussion concerning bilateral relations in the energy sector, the development prospects of the IMEC corridor, and the role of Greece.
“Greece and India are united by common values, deep respect for democracy, peace and stability, as well as commitment to the principles of international law”, Mr. Papastavrou noted, stressing that “in the current geopolitical framework, India plays a key role in ensuring regional stability, freedom of navigation and the security of supply chains in the wider Indo-Pacific region”.
He underlined that the two countries hold frequent contacts and high-level visits, a fact that strengthens the political momentum of the Strategic Partnership, noting that “bilateral relations began to gain ground after the historic visit – the first in 40 years – of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Athens in 2023, as well as the visit of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to India in February 2024”. At the same time, he referred to the 14th round of bilateral political consultations in New Delhi and the promotion of a cooperation Roadmap.
Referring to the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), Mr. Papastavrou stressed that Greece fully supports it, “as an important initiative for global trade, energy flows and digital connectivity” and is explicitly seeking its inclusion in it.
It is noted that, earlier in the month, the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act, which recognizes Greece’s role as a connecting link in the broader IMEC corridor.
“Cooperation in the energy sector and specifically in the development of renewable energy sources is of strategic importance for both countries. This has crystallized in the Greece–India Memorandum of Cooperation of 2017”, Mr. Papastavrou also pointed out.
Finally, Mr. Piyush Goyal invited Mr. Papastavrou to visit India, in order to have a meeting with the Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi.