On Friday, Greece felicitated Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour, the highest civilian honour bestowed upon a head of state.
Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou gave Modi, the first Indian prime minister to visit Greece in forty years, the prize. Modi is also the first head of state from outside the United States to earn the award.
Modi expressed thanks to the Greek president, the government, and the people on behalf of the Indian people for this unique award. “I accepted the award on behalf of 140 crore Indians and expressed my gratitude,” he said at a subsequent media interaction.
Soon after Modi’s day-long visit to the nation began, the award ceremony was place at the presidential residence in Athens. Modi paid respects at the Athens “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier” earlier in the day. He observed a formal guard of respect while placing a wreath at the memorial. Later, Modi joined prominent Greek and Indian CEOs from industries including shipping, infrastructure, and energy for a business lunch given by his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
In his remarks at the event, Modi emphasised India’s advancements in the fields of renewable energy, start-ups, pharmaceuticals, IT, digital payments, and infrastructure.
