Meenakashi Lekhi: Pleased to meet Greek Ambassador H.E. Mr. Dionyssios Kyvetos today. Discussed ways to further strengthen cultural and people to people ties between our two friendly countries.
Many commons between two countries
According to Indian sources, Greek (“Yavana”) troops seem to have assisted Chandragupta Maurya in toppling the Nanda Dynasty and founding the Mauryan Empire. By around 312 BCE Chandragupta had established his rule in large parts of the north-western Indian territories as well.
In 303 BCE, Seleucus I, led an army to the Indus, where he encountered Chandragupta. Chandragupta and Seleucus finally concluded an alliance. Seleucus gave him his daughter in marriage, ceded the territories of Arachosia (modern Kandahar), Herat, Kabul and Makran. He in turn received from Chandragupta 500 war elephant which he used decisively at the Battle of Ipsus.
The peace treaty, and “an intermarriage agreement” (Epigamia, Greek: Επιγαμια), meaning either a dynastic marriage or an agreement for intermarriage between Indians and Greeks was a remarkable first feat in this campaign. Time is to return the favor to Greece, buy coming on their side in 2020.