India and Greece Bilateral Ties

Syllabus: GS2/IR

Context

• The Defence Minister held a bilateral meeting with his Greek counterpart in New Delhi. 
  • Both leaders reiterated that the India-Greece Strategic Partnership is based on shared values of peace, stability, freedom, and mutual respect.

About

• A Joint Declaration of Intent on strengthening the defence industrial cooperation between India and Greece was signed which is a starting point for developing a five-year roadmap.
• A Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan for 2026 was also exchanged, charting the course for military engagements between the Armed forces of both countries.

India – Greece Bilateral Relations

• Political Ties: India has traditionally enjoyed friendly bilateral ties with Greece, mainly characterized by the political support at the international level including the United Nations.
  • Relations were upgraded to a Strategic Partnership in 2023 during PM Modi’s visit to Greece.
• Defence Ties: Both India and Greece have engaged in various joint naval exercises in the Mediterranean Sea and have also participated in the multinational air force exercise named INIOCHOS-23, INIOCHOS-24 and INIOCHOS-25.
  • After India’s Nuclear test in Pokhran in 1998, while many European nations were demanding sanctions against India, the then Greek Defence Minister signed an MoU on India-Greece Defence cooperation in 1998.
  • Co-production of military hardware and technology exchanges are under the aspirations of “Make in India”, an initiative of India is being explored with Greece as well.
• Economic Cooperation: India and Greece aim to double their bilateral trade by 2030, which is valued around US$ 2 Billion in 2022-23.
• The Tourism sector accounts for 25% of Greece revenue, and the country is emerging as a popular tourist destination with the Indians.
• Connectivity: Greece’s vital and strategic location in the Eastern Mediterranean, and its status as Greece is member of both EU and NATO member, renders the potential gateway for India into the EU.

Challenges and Opportunities for India-Greece

• Lower Public and Policy visibility: Despite high profile visits from both the countries, there is an absence of India-Greece discourse in major foreign policy circles.
  • There is less people-to-people engagement between two countries due to low tourism and diaspora exchange.
• Geographical Disconnect: There is no direct air connectivity (flights) on maritime trade routes between the two nations, making logistics and exchanges limited.
• Third Party Interventions: Countries like Türkiye and its proximity and tensions with Greece can limit Indian flexibility, especially given India’s balancing approach in the West Asia Region.
  • Chinese influence or China’s investments in Greece through BRI would create friction or it may limit India’s influence in Greece and overall Mediterranean region in crucial sectors.
• Asymmetric Focus: Though being supportive to India on various issues like UN Security Council reforms and Permanent UNSC seat for India, Greece is more deeply engaged with the EU, NATO and the politics of the Mediterranean region.

Opportunities

• Strategic Maritime Convergence: India is a key player in the Indo-Pacific region and Greece is a key player in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
  • Greek Ports can act as access points for India into Europe under the India-Middle East-Europe-Economic Corridor (IMEC).
• Geopolitical Convergence in a Multipolar World: Both nations are promoting multipolarity, strategic autonomy and rule-based order.
  • There can be strong alignment in UN votes on sovereignty and counter-terrorism.
• Support on the Multilateral Issues: Greece has consistently supported India’s bid for permanent UNSC seat.
  • There is a scope for coordinated diplomacy in international law, climate change, and cultural preservation.

Way Ahead

• Proposal of an India-Greece 2+2 Dialogue: Begin consultations towards a 2+2 format at the level of Defence and Foreign Minister to institutionalise strategic coordination.
• Advancing Maritime and Energy Cooperation: Utilise Greek ports such as Alexandroupolis and Thessaloniki as European gateways for Indian goods and services under the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC)
• Partner in Renewable Energy and Green Transition: Encourage Indian public and private firms to explore solar, wind and green hydrogen investments in Greece under the EU’s green infrastructure goals.
• Ensuring sustainability and continuity: Outlining a forward-looking bilateral roadmap that transcends political cycles and it builds an institutional memory for future governments and diplomats of India and Greece.

Conclusion

• The India-Greece relations in the last 2 years have grown significantly upgrading it to “Strategic Partnership”. 
• In recent years, India has made and diversified its partnerships in the continent through various engagements with countries in the Mediterranean region.
• India and Greece have built a strong foundation for their diplomatic ties, there is a potential for further deepening cooperation in trade, investment, tourism and international law.

Source: PIB