India’s Navy Chief has embarked on a three-day official visit to Greece, reflecting the growing importance of India-Greece defense and strategic ties. Greece holds a key position in India’s foreign policy, acting as a counterbalance to Turkey. With Greece and Turkey being regional adversaries, particularly in the Aegean Sea, Greece’s strategic location is vital for regional stability and security.
India and Greece: Common Security Concerns
India and Greece share several common security concerns, particularly in the Mediterranean Sea. Greece’s influence over the Mediterranean Sea is significant due to its geographic position, making it a gateway to Europe. Both countries are aligned in their interests concerning maritime security, especially regarding violations of international laws in the Eastern Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific regions.
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is a critical framework that both countries support. Violations by countries like Turkey and China threaten the stability of maritime regions, and India and Greece are united in their commitment to enforcing this law.
India-Greece Cybersecurity and Maritime Cooperation
India has significant expertise in cybersecurity, an area where it can assist Greece in enhancing its defenses. On the other hand, Greece, with its long-standing maritime tradition, can support India in managing merchant vessels and improving maritime trade logistics. This collaboration could further strengthen both nations’ positions in global shipping and cybersecurity.
India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and Greece’s Role
One of the most promising areas of growth for the India-Greece partnership is through the newly launched India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), which was initiated during India’s G20 Presidency. Greece’s geographic location provides a strategic advantage for this corridor, which will facilitate faster trade routes between India, Europe, and the Middle East. The cooperation between India and Greece in ports and shipping, infrastructure, and logistics is critical for realizing the potential of this economic corridor.
Greece as a Strategic NATO Partner and Its Cultural Heritage
Greece’s membership in NATO further enhances its strategic value for India. The country’s strong military and defense capabilities can complement India’s defense ambitions, particularly in expanding trade ties westward. Greece’s rich cultural heritage and historical ties with India provide a strong foundation for enhancing diplomatic and defense relations.
Defence Cooperation: Building India-Greece Military Ties
India is seeking to improve its defense ties with countries that share a similar ideological outlook. Greece has placed great importance on defense cooperation, with joint military exercises and defense agreements already in place. Over the past few years, Greece has supported India’s position on sensitive geopolitical issues, such as Kashmir, showcasing the mutual respect and alignment between the two nations.
The potential for expanding defense ties between India and Greece is immense. India can export defense equipment, especially anti-drone systems, to Greece. This becomes crucial as Turkey has developed an extensive drone system, which could be used to assert dominance over various Greek islands.
Shipbuilding: A Collaborative Opportunity for India and Greece
Another area of collaboration is shipbuilding. Greece has a long-standing tradition of building and maintaining ships. India, particularly its Mazgaon Dockyard, can collaborate with Greece’s Skaramanga Shipyard to boost India’s shipbuilding capabilities. Skaramanga has extensive expertise in ship repair and maintenance, which could give India a competitive edge in the global shipbuilding industry. This partnership would significantly benefit India’s naval strength and maritime ambitions.
Future Geopolitical Impact: India and Greece Shaping Global Affairs
The deepening of ties between India and Greece could have far-reaching implications on global geopolitics. Greece, with its proximity to Europe, can help India balance negative sentiments being generated by Turkey at international forums. Furthermore, Greece can act as a facilitator for India to access European markets through its maritime fleet and favorable trade routes.
Both nations stand to gain immensely from strengthening their defense, trade, and strategic ties. The growing collaboration between India and Greece is poised to shape global geopolitics, benefiting the regional and global standing of both nations.
