Relations between Athens and New Delhi are constantly strengthening, both at the bilateral level and in the defense sector.
Cooperation between Greece and India has intensified, particularly following Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff (HNDG) Dimitrios Houpis official visit to India last year. These visits laid the foundation for deeper strategic cooperation, which also includes joint training activities between the two countries’ armed forces.
One of the most recent actions of this cooperation was the joint training of the Hellenic Navy frigate HYDRA with the Indian frigate TARKASH in the Arabian Sea. HYDRA was in the region after participating in the international defense equipment exhibitions in Abu Dhabi, IDEX & NAVDEX 25.
The two ships’ joint exercise took place in the framework of the European operation ASPIDES, which aims to protect the freedom of navigation and the safety of the vital sea lanes.
India, for its part, is particularly interested in the wider Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean region, as most of its international trade is conducted through these sea lanes.
In addition, the planned IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor) economic corridor, which will connect the South Asian with the Middle East and Europe, has already acquired strategic importance for the participating countries, such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Cyprus, and Greece.
The strengthening of military relations between Greece and India is not limited to maritime activities. The two countries are also exploring other areas of cooperation, such as the exchange of knowledge and technology, the joint development of defense systems and the conduct of joint exercises in various theaters of operations.
This cooperation is part of a broader strategic approach that aims to enhance security and promote stability in critical regions of the world.
With the two countries sharing common interests and values, their cooperation looks set to have even greater prospects in the future. India, one of the world’s fastest growing economies, and Greece, as a gateway to Europe and the Mediterranean, can mutually benefit from this strategic alliance while enhancing international security and prosperity.
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