The President said that India is committed to world peace. He said that India sees peace not just as the absence of conflict but as a reflection of sustainable development and indeed of any effort that anticipates and prevents strife and suffering.

President Ram Nath Kovind, addressed a gathering of diplomats, policymakers and academics in Athens today on the subject “India and Europe in a Changing World”. The event was organised by the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy a leading foreign policy think tank in Greece and in Europe.

The President said that India is committed to world peace. He said that India sees peace not just as the absence of conflict but as a reflection of sustainable development and indeed of any effort that anticipates and prevents strife and suffering

President said that radicalisation and terrorism are pressing global concerns. Pockets of instability and extremism can be found in the region to Europe’s east and India’s west. They are a worry for both Europe and India.

Promotion of terrorism by state and non-state actors; extremism in a variety of forms and rooted in senseless hate; the proliferation of sensitive weapons; the use of regular communication and financial channels by terror groups these pose a challenge to not one nation or the other but to all humanity.

Earlier in the day, the President addressed the India Greek Business Forum meeting in Athens.Speaking on the occasion, the President said that India-Greek bilateral trade at US Dollars 530 million is way below its potential.

With some efforts this can easily be made to cross US Dollars 1 billion in the next few years and India is keen to take lead in this effort.The President said that there are clear complementarities between the Indian and Greek economies.