10 Feb 2026·Source: The Indian Express

3 min

International RelationsPolity & GovernanceNEWS

India and Greece Deepen Defence Ties with Declaration of Intent

India and Greece express commitment to enhanced military collaboration and interoperability.

Photo by Constantinos Kollias

India and Greece have signed a joint declaration of intent to strengthen defence cooperation, focusing on military collaboration, defence industrial partnerships, and technology sharing. The agreement was formalized during a meeting between the Greek National Defence Minister Nikos Dendias and India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

Both ministers expressed commitment to deepen the existing defence ties between the two countries. The declaration aims to enhance military interoperability, promote co-production and co-development of defence equipment, and facilitate the exchange of technological expertise. This initiative reflects a shared interest in bolstering regional security and fostering stronger bilateral relations.

Key Facts

India and Greece signed a joint declaration of intent to strengthen defence cooperation.

The agreement was formalized during a meeting between the Greek National Defence Minister Nikos Dendias and India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

The declaration aims to enhance military interoperability between the two countries.

The agreement focuses on defence industrial partnerships and technology sharing.

UPSC Exam Angles

GS Paper II: Bilateral relations, international agreements

GS Paper III: Defence sector, indigenization of technology

Potential for questions on India's foreign policy and defence strategy

Visual Insights

India and Greece: Strengthening Defence Ties

Map showing the locations of India and Greece, highlighting the strategic importance of their deepened defence cooperation.

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📍India📍Greece

More Information

Background

India and Greece share a long history of cultural and economic exchange, dating back to ancient times. The modern relationship, however, has seen periods of varying intensity. The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), of which India was a founding member, played a significant role in shaping India's foreign policy during the Cold War era. Greece, being a part of NATO, had different geopolitical alignments. In recent decades, both nations have sought to deepen their bilateral ties, particularly in areas of trade, investment, and culture. The evolving geopolitical landscape, including concerns about regional security and stability, has further incentivized closer cooperation. This is reflected in increased high-level visits and dialogues. The current declaration of intent builds upon existing frameworks for cooperation. Defence cooperation is a critical aspect of this evolving relationship. India's focus on indigenization of defence production through initiatives like Make in India aligns with Greece's interest in diversifying its defence partnerships. Such collaborations can lead to technology transfers and co-production ventures. The Ministry of Defence plays a key role in facilitating these partnerships.

Latest Developments

India's growing strategic partnerships with European nations reflect a broader trend of diversifying its foreign policy engagements. This is driven by shared concerns about regional security and the need for a multi-polar world order. Recent years have seen increased defence cooperation with countries like France, Germany, and the UK. These partnerships often involve joint military exercises, technology transfers, and co-production of defence equipment. The focus on defence industrial partnerships is also aligned with India's ambition to become a major defence exporter. Initiatives like the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 aim to promote indigenous defence manufacturing and reduce dependence on imports. This involves creating a conducive ecosystem for private sector participation and fostering innovation in the defence sector. Looking ahead, the India-Greece defence cooperation is expected to expand further, encompassing areas such as maritime security, cyber security, and counter-terrorism. This will require sustained political commitment and effective implementation of the agreed-upon initiatives. The evolving geopolitical landscape in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Indo-Pacific regions will likely shape the future trajectory of this partnership.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the main focus of the 'Declaration of Intent' signed between India and Greece?

The declaration primarily aims to strengthen defence cooperation between India and Greece, focusing on military collaboration, defence industrial partnerships, and technology sharing.

2. Who are the key personalities involved in formalizing the defence cooperation agreement between India and Greece?

The agreement was formalized during a meeting between the Greek National Defence Minister Nikos Dendias and India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

3. What are the potential benefits of enhanced military interoperability between India and Greece?

Enhanced military interoperability can lead to better coordination in joint exercises, improved response to security challenges, and a stronger overall defence posture for both nations.

4. How does this agreement reflect India's broader foreign policy objectives?

India's growing strategic partnerships with European nations reflect a broader trend of diversifying its foreign policy engagements, driven by shared concerns about regional security and the need for a multi-polar world order.

5. What is the historical background of India-Greece relations, and how has it evolved?

India and Greece share a long history of cultural and economic exchange dating back to ancient times. The modern relationship has seen periods of varying intensity, influenced by factors like the Non-Aligned Movement and Greece's NATO membership.

6. What are the potential implications of this defence agreement on regional security in the Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific regions?

The agreement could contribute to enhanced maritime security, counter-terrorism efforts, and a more balanced geopolitical landscape in these regions. It signals a commitment to collaborative security initiatives.

7. What are the pros and cons of India deepening its defence ties with Greece, considering Greece's membership in NATO?

Pros include access to advanced technology and strategic alignment on regional security. Cons might involve navigating differing geopolitical priorities and potential concerns from other nations.

8. Why is the India-Greece defence agreement in the news recently?

The agreement is in the news due to the signing of a joint declaration of intent to strengthen defence cooperation, marking a significant step in bilateral relations.

9. What recent developments have led to the strengthening of defence ties between India and Greece?

Recent high-level meetings and a shared interest in bolstering regional security have contributed to the strengthening of defence ties. India's diversifying foreign policy engagements also play a role.

10. How might the focus on co-production and co-development of defence equipment impact India's 'Make in India' initiative?

The focus on co-production and co-development can provide a boost to the 'Make in India' initiative by fostering technology transfer, enhancing domestic manufacturing capabilities, and creating opportunities for Indian defence industries.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the recent declaration of intent between India and Greece: 1. It focuses solely on military collaboration and excludes defence industrial partnerships. 2. The agreement aims to enhance military interoperability and promote co-production of defence equipment. 3. The declaration was formalized during a meeting between the Greek Prime Minister and India's External Affairs Minister. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only
B.2 only
C.1 and 3 only
D.2 and 3 only

Show Answer

Answer: B

Statement 1 is INCORRECT: The declaration of intent focuses on both military collaboration AND defence industrial partnerships, including technology sharing. Statement 2 is CORRECT: The agreement explicitly aims to enhance military interoperability and promote co-production of defence equipment. Statement 3 is INCORRECT: The declaration was formalized during a meeting between the Greek National Defence Minister and India's External Affairs Minister, not the Prime Minister.

2. Which of the following initiatives is most directly related to promoting indigenous defence manufacturing in India?

A.Skill India Mission
B.Digital India Programme
C.Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020
D.Startup India

Show Answer

Answer: C

The Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 is specifically designed to promote indigenous defence manufacturing by prioritizing procurement from Indian vendors, encouraging technology transfer, and fostering innovation in the defence sector. While Skill India, Digital India, and Startup India contribute to overall economic development, they are not directly focused on defence manufacturing.

3. Assertion (A): India and Greece are deepening defence ties due to shared concerns about regional security and stability. Reason (R): Both countries are members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?

A.Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
B.Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
C.A is true, but R is false
D.A is false, but R is true

Show Answer

Answer: C

Assertion (A) is TRUE: India and Greece are indeed deepening defence ties due to shared concerns about regional security and stability. Reason (R) is FALSE: While India is a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Greece is NOT a member. Greece is a member of NATO. Therefore, A is true, but R is false.