India and Greece are two pivotal states overseeing focal points of elevated geopolitical importance in Eurasia. Bilateral relations between India and Greece are multifaceted and have grown steadily over the last few years. Greece has consistently been supportive of India’s core foreign policy objectives and India concurs with Greece’s emphasis on promoting international law and regional security. The two states also share common concerns on issues of international terrorism and have reinforced their ties with bilateral initiatives unfolding on a steady basis.
The new development
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to embark on a significant diplomatic visit to Greece later this month, bolstering ties with the European country. This visit comes as a part of PM Modi’s attendance at the BRICS summit in South Africa, underscoring India’s commitment to global partnerships. Notably, this marks a watershed moment in the relationship. The last Indian Prime Minister to visit Greece was former PM Indira Gandhi back in 1983.
India’s strategic interests to its west extend from the Indian Ocean Region to the Eastern Mediterranean where Greece, a traditionally sea-oriented state, is located. India’s economic security is also linked to the control of sea routes connecting Europe with India. With a demographic and strategic weight of 1.3 billion people, India can project its ever-growing capabilities over greater areas. India’s role as an international actor has increased over the last few years, as it has adopted a more dynamic foreign policy. It is in this context that India can examine the prospect of a strategic partnership with Greece.
At the military level, India–Greece cooperation could be significantly upgraded with the signing of extensive military cooperation memoranda that shall lay the basis for joint exercises, technology and intelligence sharing. Initial discussions concerning a defence agreement have already been undertaken.
Greece and India conduct joint naval military exercises in the Mediterranean
The Indian Navy’s Kolkata class destroyer ship INS CHENNAI was at Souda Bay in Crete on 27-29 July and held exercises with the Greek Navy in the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas.
Kolkata’s crew Called at the Greek Naval Base and visited the Greek Maritime Museum in the Chania region.
Indian media showed great interest in the military exercises, reporting that the “Indian Navy & Greek Navy Unite in Turkey’s backyard.”
“Witness the stunning camaraderie as Indian Navy’s INS Chennai and Greek warships sail together in the Aegean Sea! This joint exercise showcases advanced tactical maneuvers and aims to enhance mutual trust and understanding between the two allies,” Inconnect News wrote in their video description.
“Explore India-Greece’s growing defence partnership and strategic cooperation in the Mediterranean. As India’s global influence grows, Greece also turned down Pakistan’s request for submarine batteries due to Pakistan’s alliance with Turkey, a traditional rival of Greece.
“We explore the evolving diplomatic & military cooperation between India & Greece, amidst the backdrop of Pakistan’s increasing reliance on Turkey.”
IAF in Iniochos exercise
To ‘counter’ the Turkey-Pakistan axis, India’s Sukhoi fighter jets (Su-30 MKI) and C17 Globemaster aircraft reached Greece for the first time before months to participate in the multilateral air exercise Iniochos-2023 hosted by Hellenic Air Force (HAF).
While Turkey supports Pakistan over Kashmir, the Eurasian country (Turkey) has a history of bitter relations with neighboring Greece in the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is participated in Exercise Iniochos-23, a multinational air exercise hosted by the Hellenic Air Force, with four Sukhoi (Su-30 MKI) fighter jets and two C-17 Globemaster aircraft. The exercise will be conducted at the Andravida Air Base in Greece from April 24 to May 4.
ANCIENT GREEK CITIES IN INDIA
The God Dionysos was the first to campaign to India 6451 years before alexander 154 king before androcotos ( also known as Chandragupta).
The Greeks did three major campaigns in India-Heracles followed Dionysos and Alexander the Great was the last one. The successors of Alexander the Great continued the conquests in India, with the various Kingdoms which they created there.
