ATHENS, Greece — The prime ministers of India and Greece pledged to spice up their international locations’ commerce, enterprise and protection ties Friday throughout a go to to Athens by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Modi’s go to is the primary to Greece by an Indian prime minister in 40 years since Indira Gandhi visited the nation in September 1983.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated the 2 international locations loved relations stretching again to antiquity.

“Based on these strong foundations of our long-term relations, we have the great joy of upgrading our cooperation now to a strategic relationship,” Mitsotakis stated in a joint televised assertion distributed by Greece’s state broadcaster.

Reporters weren't permitted to attend, and no questions had been taken.

Modi stated the 2 determined to strengthen bilateral relations within the protection and safety sectors, in addition to in infrastructure, agriculture, training and know-how.

PHOTOS: India's Modi visits Greece, the primary go to to the nation by an Indian prime minister in 40 years

“In the sector of defense and security, we agreed to reinforce our military ties and our defense industries,” Modi stated, in response to a Greek translation of his feedback.

The two international locations may even goal to double bilateral commerce by 2030, Modi stated. Commercial commerce between India and Greece stood at 1.32 billion euros in 2022, Mitsotakis stated in an article for the Times of India launched by his workplace Friday.

Modi stated the 2 international locations signed an settlement Friday concerning agricultural manufacturing that may even permit for cooperation in analysis, animal rearing and animal merchandise.

India and Greece additionally wish to facilitate expert migration, “so we decided that an agreement will be signed soon on mobility and migration,” Modi stated.

The two additionally mentioned “the great importance” of building direct flights between Greece and India, Mitsotakis stated, noting “great opportunities” within the sectors of tourism in addition to financial cooperation within the pharmaceutical and know-how sectors.

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