Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou met today with India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, at the Ministry of Environment and Energy (YPEN).

According to the ministry, the talks focused on bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, the development prospects of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), and Greece’s role in the project.

“Greece and India are united by shared values, a deep respect for democracy, peace and stability, and a commitment to the principles of international law,” Papastavrou said. He stressed that, “within the current geopolitical landscape, India plays a crucial role in safeguarding regional stability, freedom of navigation and the security of supply chains across the wider Indo-Pacific region.”

He noted that the two countries maintain frequent high-level contacts and visits, strengthening the momentum of their Strategic Partnership.

“Our bilateral relations began gaining significant momentum following the historic visit—the first in 40 years—of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Athens in 2023, which I had the privilege of attending as Minister of State, as well as the visit of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to India a few months later, in February 2024,” Papastavrou said.

He added that the 14th round of bilateral political consultations, recently held in New Delhi, provided an excellent opportunity to review the progress of the strategic partnership and agree on drafting a roadmap aimed at advancing and monitoring cooperation in specific areas of mutual interest.

Referring to the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), Papastavrou said Greece fully supports the initiative, describing it as “a significant project for global trade, energy flows and digital connectivity between India, the Middle East and Europe,” adding that Greece is explicitly seeking to become part of the corridor.

The ministry also noted that earlier this month, the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act, which recognizes Greece’s unique role as a central link within the broader IMEC corridor.

Papastavrou further highlighted that cooperation in the energy sector—particularly in the development of renewable energy sources—is of strategic importance to both countries.

“This cooperation is reflected in the 2017 Greece–India Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Environment and Energy of the Hellenic Republic and India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, covering collaboration in the field of new and renewable energy sources,” he said.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Indian minister invited Papastavrou to visit India, where he is expected to meet, among others, the country’s Minister of New and Renewable Energy.