PM Modi conferred with Greece's prestigious 'The Grand Cross of the Order of Honour'

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred with Greece's prestigious 'The Grand Cross of the Order of Honour'. The honour was conferred upon him by President of Greece Katerina Sakellaropoulou im Athens on Friday (August 25, 2023).

The Order of Honour was established in 1975. The head of goddess Athena is depicted on the front side of the Star with the inscription “ONLY THE RIGHTEOUS SHOULD BE HONOURED”.

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, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said.

The citation says - “In the person of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an honour is bestowed upon the friendly people of India.”

It also says, “On the occasion of this visit, the Greek State Honours the Prime Minister of India, a statesman who has tirelessly promoted the global reach of his country and who works systematically for India’s economic progress and prosperity, bringing about bold reforms. A statesman who has brought environmental protection and climate change among the top priorities of international activity.”

 

PM Modi’s decisive contribution to the strategic promotion of Greek-Indian friendship in areas of mutual interest has also been recognised, the PMO noted.

Prime Minister Modi thanked the Greek President, the Greek government and the people of Greece. "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. @PresidencyGR," he posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Prime Minister Modi and President Sakellaropoulou later discussed ways to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two nations. 

"Glad to have met President Katerina Sakellaropoulou in Athens. We discussed several issues which will strengthen the India-Greece friendship. We also discussed ways to boost sustainable development. She congratulated India on the success of Chandrayaan-3. @PresidencyGR," Prime Minister Modi wrote on X.

Prime Minister Modi arrived in Athens earlier in the day on his first visit to Greece at the invitation of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis after attending the 15th BRICS Summit in South Africa. He is visiting the country at the invitation of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

He is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Greece in 40 years.

In his departure statement on August 22, 2023, Prime Minister Modi had said that he looks forward to his visit to Greece opening a new chapter in the multifacted India-Greece relationship.

Greece is one of India's important European partners, is a member of the EU, of NATO, and a gateway to Europe and also to the EU market, and enjoys a privileged position at the crossroads of Asia, Europe and Africa.