India and Greece have taken significant steps to strengthen their strategic partnership, particularly in the realm of defence cooperation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held discussions with his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis, exploring avenues for defence co-production and co-development between the two nations.
During their meeting, Modi and Mitsotakis affirmed their commitment to enhancing collaboration in defence industries, marking a significant milestone in their bilateral relationship. The leaders emphasized the potential benefits of linking their defence sectors, paving the way for mutual technological advancement and strategic cooperation.
Mitsotakis, who was the chief guest at the Raisina Dialogue, made a return visit to India following Modi’s historic trip to Athens in August last year. This visit marked a turning point in India-Greece relations, elevating them to a strategic partnership.
In addition to defence cooperation, Modi and Mitsotakis discussed a range of other issues, including counter-terrorism efforts, Indo-Pacific security, regional conflicts, and global challenges. Both leaders underscored the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving conflicts and tensions, emphasizing the need for peaceful solutions.
The Indo-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) also featured prominently in their discussions. While acknowledging concerns arising from regional conflicts, including the Israel-Hamas war, India reaffirmed its commitment to the IMEC, highlighting its potential for fostering economic development and connectivity.
Mitsotakis commended India’s role as a pillar of stability in the Indo-Pacific and urged greater global cooperation to address emerging challenges, particularly in light of conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia.
Modi expressed optimism about the prospects of the IMEC corridor and welcomed Greece’s interest in becoming a key partner in this initiative. He also highlighted Greece’s potential as India’s gateway to Europe, offering Indian investors access to Greek seaports and airports.
The leaders emphasized the importance of deepening defence and security cooperation, particularly in areas such as cyber security, counterterrorism, and maritime security. They agreed to establish a working group to enhance coordination and address common challenges effectively.
India and Greece share common concerns regarding terrorism and reiterated their commitment to combating this global menace. Modi underscored the significance of cooperation in this area, emphasizing the need for joint efforts to counter terrorist threats effectively.
In addition to defence and security cooperation, the two leaders identified several new initiatives to modernize bilateral relations, including the early conclusion of the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement. These initiatives aim to strengthen people-to-people ties and foster closer collaboration between India and Greece in various spheres.
