India and Greece Forge Defence Partnership with Joint Declaration
In a significant move to bolster bilateral ties, India and Greece signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on Monday to strengthen defence industrial cooperation between the two nations. The agreement, announced by the Ministry of Defence, is set to pave the way for developing a comprehensive five-year roadmap for this strategic partnership.
Key Agreements and Discussions
The declaration was signed following bilateral talks between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Greek counterpart, Nikolaos-Georgios Dendias, at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. During the meeting, both ministers emphasized that the India-Greece Strategic Partnership is rooted in shared values of peace, stability, freedom, and mutual respect.
In a post on X, Singh welcomed the announcement from the Greek side, highlighting that an International Liaison Officer from Greece will be positioned at the Information Fusion Center-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in Gurugram. This step is aimed at enhancing maritime cooperation between the two seafaring nations, reflecting a commitment to regional security.
Strategic Initiatives and Future Plans
According to the Ministry of Defence statement, the two countries have decided to expand the capacity of their respective indigenous defence industries. This will be achieved through a partnership between India's 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative and Greece's defence reforms under 'Agenda 2030'.
- The Joint Declaration of Intent serves as a starting point for crafting a detailed five-year roadmap for defence industrial cooperation.
- A Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan for 2026 was exchanged, outlining the course for military engagements between the armed forces of both countries.
- The ministers discussed issues related to regional peace and security, acknowledging the deepening of bilateral defence cooperation and strategic ties.
This agreement marks a pivotal moment in India-Greece relations, with both nations leveraging their strengths to foster innovation and security in the defence sector. The collaboration is expected to drive technological advancements and mutual growth, reinforcing their roles on the global stage.
