India, Greece Discuss Defence and Strategic Cooperation with Focus on Maritime Security

The discussions took place during a meeting between Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Greece's Deputy Minister for Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Stefanos Gkikas in New Delhi.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the two sides reviewed India-Greece defence and strategic cooperation, focusing on maritime cooperation, coastal security and shipbuilding.

"As two prominent maritime nations, India and Greece have common interest and stakes in the maritime sector including the need to ensure safety and security of seafarers," the ministry said.

Gkikas is visiting India to participate in Sagarmanthan, the Great Oceans Dialogue 2026, which brings together stakeholders to discuss issues concerning the global maritime sector.

Ahead of his visit, Gkikas had reiterated Greece's commitment to expanding maritime cooperation with India during a meeting with India's Ambassador to Greece Ravi Shankar on October 1.

The Indian Embassy in Greece said the Greek Deputy Minister had expressed his country's continued commitment to strengthening maritime ties with India and looked forward to his visit to New Delhi for the oceans dialogue.

Defence cooperation between the two countries has also expanded in the air domain. In July, Ambassador Ravi Shankar met Lieutenant General Demosthenes Grigoriadis, Chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff, to discuss ongoing cooperation initiatives between the Indian and Greek air forces.

The Indian Embassy said India's participation in Greece's INIOCHOS exercise and Greece's participation in India's Tarang Shakti exercise had contributed to greater mutual understanding and strengthened partnerships between the two air forces.