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Greece as Chief Guest: In the 9th edition of Raisina Dialogue

@newsonair - raisinadialogue

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• The 9th Raisina Dialogue edition will begin in New Delhi on 21st Feb 2024 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Greece’s prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, will attend the opening ceremony as the Chief Guest and will give the keynote speech.

About the ‘Raisina Dialogue’

• About:
  • This is India’s preeminent geopolitical and geoeconomic conference, dedicated to tackling the most difficult problems the world community faces;
  • Since 2016, it has been held in New Delhi every year;
  • Heads of state, cabinet ministers, and representatives of local government participate in the Dialogue as multi-stakeholder, cross-sectoral discussions are facilitated by thought leaders from the business, media, and academic communities;
  • It is coordinated by the Indian government’s Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF).
  • NOTE: The ORF is an independent, nonpartisan think tank that was founded in 1990 and focuses on foreign policy, sustainable economic development for India, and good governance.
• Theme of 2024: “Chaturanga: Conflict, Contest, Cooperate, Create”;
• Representatives:
  • It has more than 100 nations will take part in the three-day Raisina Dialogue and these participants will include ministers, former heads of state and government, military commanders, captains of industry, leaders in technology, academics, journalists, and scholars on strategic affairs;
  • Foreign Ministers and it includes Gabrielius Landsbergis of Lithuania, Lyonpo D. N. Dhungyel of Bhutan, and Margus Tsahkna of Estonia as foreign ministers;
• Six Thematic Pillars talk in 2024s Dialogue: Global decision-makers and thought leaders will converse with one another in a variety of formats centered around six thematic pillars over the course of three days and it includes War and Peace; Armouries and Asymmetries; Peace with the Planet; Invest and Innovate; Tech Frontiers; Regulations and Realities.

India-Greece Relationship

About:

• The strategic relationship between India and Greece gained momentum with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Greece in August 2023, followed by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s visit to New Delhi on February 21-22.
• Both leaders recognize the significant opportunities presented by a strategic partnership, with Mitsotakis highlighting Greece as India’s gateway to Europe and vice versa.

Strategic Importance

• Geopolitical Position: Greece and India are situated in strategically vital but geopolitically volatile regions, emphasizing the need for enhanced security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and Indian Ocean regions;
• Growing Ties: The increasing political will to strengthen Greece-India relations is driven by mutual recognition as old friends and emerging global powers.

About Greece

• Location: Situated in southern Europe, Greece boasts an extensive Mediterranean coastline and borders with Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Turkey;
• Historical Legacy: Celebrated as the birthplace of Western civilization, democracy, philosophy, theater, and the Olympic Games;
• Government: Operates as a Parliamentary Republic;
• Capital and Language: Athens is the capital; Greek is the official language;
• Currency: Euro (€);
• Geography: Features major mountain ranges like the Pindus and Taurus, and the longest river is the Haliacmon. Mount Olympus is the highest peak;
• Cultural Contributions: A global influencer in literature, sciences, arts, and democracy;
• Economy: Tourism and shipping dominate, with a significant merchant marine fleet;
• Biodiversity: Home to diverse ecosystems, national parks, and nature reserves;
• Archaeological Sites: Rich with UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Acropolis, Delphi, and Rhodes;
• Islands: Thousands of islands, including Crete, Rhodes, and Santorini, form part of its charm;
• Cuisine: Known for olive oil, grains, wine, fish, and vegetables, with famous dishes like moussaka and souvlaki.

Collaborative Focus Areas Between Greece and India

Defense and Security

• Enhanced Cooperation: Focus on maritime security, counter-terrorism, cyber security, and strengthening the defense industry;
• Dialogue Framework: Creation of an India-Greece dialogue mechanism at the National Security Advisors (NSAs) level for in-depth security discussions;
• Joint Exercises : The Greek and Indian Air Forces will collaborate on a joint training exercise with Su-30, F-16, and Rafale fighter jets for ten days over Greece and the Mediterranean Sea.

Maritime Security and Adherence to International Law

• Unified Vision: Support for a free, open, and rule-based maritime order in the Mediterranean Sea and Indo-Pacific regions;
• International Commitments: Commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), ensuring respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and freedom of navigation.

Cultural Exchange and Tourism

• Artistic and Cultural Cooperation: Promoting exchanges in the arts and cultural sectors;
• Heritage Preservation: Joint initiatives under UNESCO to protect and conserve historical sites.

Economic Engagement: Trade and Investment

• Trade Objectives: Target to double bilateral trade volumes by 2030;
• Sectoral Opportunities: Identifying and leveraging opportunities in renewable energy, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and technology innovation;
• Economic Initiatives: The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) and the push for the EU-India Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) are key areas for future cooperation.

Mobility and Migration

• Partnership Agreement: Progress towards the Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement (MMPA) to benefit both nations;
• Workforce Mobility: Enhancing the free movement of professionals and workers between Greece and India.

Greece’s Gateway to Asia

• Geographical Position: Greece’s strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa serves as a natural gateway, especially through its port of Piraeus, facilitating trade and cultural exchanges between Asia and Europe;
• Port of Piraeus: The largest port in Greece, Piraeus is pivotal for maritime trade routes connecting Europe to Asia, significantly enhancing Greece’s role as a logistic and economic bridge;
• Historical Influence: Greece’s ancient maritime routes and colonies across the Aegean and the Mediterranean played a crucial role in spreading its culture and establishing connections with Asia;
• Modern Infrastructure: Recent investments in transportation and logistics infrastructure, including upgrades to the port of Piraeus by global shipping companies, have strengthened Greece’s position as a key entry point to Europe for Asian goods;
• Economic and Diplomatic Relations: Greece leverages its geographic advantage to bolster economic ties and diplomatic relations with Asian countries, serving as a facilitator of dialogue and cooperation between the continents.

India’s Gateway to Europe

• Geographical Advantage: India’s western coast, particularly Mumbai and Gujarat, serves as its primary gateway to Europe, enabling direct trade and maritime connections;
• Mumbai Port: As one of the largest and busiest ports in India, Mumbai acts as a crucial hub for maritime trade between India and European nations, facilitating the flow of goods, services, and capital;
• Cultural and Historical Links: India’s historical trade routes, including the ancient Silk Road, have served as conduits for cultural exchange and commerce between India and Europe for centuries;
• Strategic Partnerships: India engages in numerous strategic partnerships and free trade agreements with European countries, aiming to enhance economic ties, investment flows, and technological cooperation;
• Air Connectivity: Major Indian airports, such as Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, offer extensive air connectivity to Europe, further supporting India’s role as a gateway for people, goods, and ideas.

Conclusion: 2024 marks a critical point in solidifying the Greece-India strategic partnership, emphasizing the urgency and importance of these bilateral relations in the context of global and European dynamics.

Source: Newsonair

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