India’s PM visits Greece eyeing Piraeus port for exports

Imerisia: Ιστορική επίσκεψη Μόντι στην Ελλάδα &#8211; Η συνάντηση με Μητσοτάκη και το «μενού» των επαφών
In.gr: Τι γυρεύει ο Μόντι στην Αθήνα; Οι στόχοι Μητσοτάκη, οι ινδικές αφίξεις από Νέο Δελχί και Γιοχάνεσμπουργκ και μια «στρατηγική σχέση»

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Greece on Friday accompanied by key businessmen with an aim to explore possibilities to use Piraeus port as a gateway for Indian exports after Brexit, Greek media reported.

Described as a “historic” visit – the last Indian prime minister’s visit was in 1983 – Greek media reported that Modi comes with a heavy business agenda as in the mission will also take part the head of Indian industry together with numerous businessmen.

Greek media reported that after Brexit, India is considering alternative routes for exporting its products and now eyes Piraeus with the prospect of the largest Greek port gaining a pivotal role.

For its part, Athens promotes its maritime infrastructure as India’s “gateway” to Europe, while Greeks wish to push the message that the Mediterranean is an area of immense importance, acting as a crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa.

“The basic idea is that Greece can become India’s gateway to the European Union”, Greek Ambassador to New Delhi Dimitris Ioannou told English-speaking Indian news channel WION in an interview.

According to local press reports, the conservative Greek government will seek investment synergies in infrastructure (ports and airports), renewable sources, high technology (artificial intelligence, IT) and tourism, considering India has an annual outbound tourism of 40 million high-income people.

Athens also believes the visit is highly geopolitical and wants to strengthen collaboration in defence.

Last month, India and Greece conducted a joint naval exercise in Crete, while Greek fighter jets are expected for the first time to participate in an Indian air force exercise in September.

(Sarantis Michalopoulos | EURACTIV.com)