India and Greece Strengthen Strategic Defence Ties
India and Greece have taken a significant step to deepen their defence relationship by signing a Joint Declaration of Intent aimed at boosting defence industrial cooperation and strategic partnership. This landmark agreement was formalised on 10 February 2026 during bilateral talks between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh of India and Nikolaos-Georgios Dendias, the Defence Minister of Greece, in New Delhi.
The pact outlines a five-year roadmap for collaboration between the defence sectors of both nations, focusing on co-development, co-production, technology sharing, and stronger military engagements. This cooperation aims to support indigenous defence manufacturing, reduce dependence on imports, and foster innovation among defence industries and startups in both countries.
Focus on Indigenous Defence Production
A key highlight of this agreement is its emphasis on aligning India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative with Greece’s defence reforms under Agenda 2030. The partnership intends to build the capacity of the defence industries in both nations, enabling co-production of military hardware and boosting national capabilities.
Strategic Military Cooperation Plan for 2026
Alongside the joint declaration, India and Greece exchanged a Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan for the year 2026. This plan outlines joint exercises, training programmes, and military engagements between the armed forces, enhancing interoperability and diplomatic ties.
Maritime Security and Information Sharing
In a significant step towards enhancing maritime cooperation, Greece will post an International Liaison Officer at the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in Gurugram. This move strengthens information sharing and maritime domain awareness, reflecting shared concerns about freedom of navigation and regional stability.
Shared Values and Strategic Outlook
Defence ministers from both countries reiterated that the India-Greece strategic partnership is rooted in shared values of peace, stability, freedom, and mutual respect. They also discussed broader regional security challenges and cooperation in global geopolitics, especially in the Indo-Mediterranean region.
Significance in International Relations and Geopolitics
This defence pact between India and Greece is a major development in India’s strategic diplomacy, especially in the context of shifting global power equations. For students preparing for exams like UPSC Civil Services, SSC, CDS, CAPF, and State PSCs, understanding such strategic partnerships is crucial for topics in International Relations, Foreign Policy, and Security Issues. The agreement reflects how India is actively building alliances beyond its immediate neighbourhood, particularly with European nations, to foster peace and stability.
Boost to Indigenous Defence Capabilities
The pact aligns with India’s long-term goal of self-reliance in defence manufacturing through Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Exam aspirants must note how the Indian Government is promoting co-development and technology transfer in defence sectors, creating opportunities for defence industries and startups — a key point for questions related to Defence Economics and Policy Frameworks.
Maritime Strategy and Security Architecture
Greece’s decision to post a liaison officer at the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region underscores the strategic importance of maritime domain awareness. For exams like NDA, CDS, and CAPF, this highlights India’s role in maritime security and cooperation frameworks — an increasingly important subject in International Security Studies.
Geopolitical Impact
Students should recognise how such agreements influence global geopolitics, especially in balancing regional powers and fostering coalition frameworks in response to shared challenges. This is a key concept for modern geopolitics and international diplomacy sections in government exam syllabi.
Origins of Diplomatic Ties
India and Greece established diplomatic relations soon after India’s independence. Historically, both countries have maintained cordial relations based on shared democratic values and cultural exchanges. Over the decades, the relationship has steadily evolved from cultural diplomacy to strategic and military collaboration.
Emerging Defence Cooperation
In recent years, defence cooperation has taken centre stage in bilateral relations. Joint military exercises, naval collaborations, and high-level defence dialogues have become more frequent. India’s focus on Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Greece’s defence reforms under Agenda 2030 provided a strong basis for industrial and strategic cooperation.
Shifts in Strategic Priorities
The world’s strategic environment, marked by evolving power dynamics in Eastern Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific regions, has encouraged both nations to pursue deeper security partnerships. Shared concerns like maritime security, freedom of navigation, and balancing regional influence have brought India and Greece closer on defence and diplomatic fronts.
Q1. Which countries signed the recent five-year defence cooperation pact?
India and Greece signed a joint defence cooperation pact aimed at strengthening defence industrial collaboration and military ties. The agreement focuses on co-production, technology sharing, and strategic engagement.
Q2. Who represented India and Greece during the signing of the defence agreement?
The pact was signed during talks between Rajnath Singh, India’s Defence Minister, and Nikolaos Dendias, Greece’s Defence Minister.
Q3. What is the main objective of the India–Greece defence pact?
The main objective is to create a five-year roadmap for defence industrial cooperation, including joint production, research collaboration, and strengthening military partnerships.
Q4. How does this pact support India’s defence policy?
The agreement supports India’s self-reliance initiative, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, by encouraging indigenous defence manufacturing and reducing dependence on imports.
Q5. What is the significance of the Information Fusion Centre in this pact?
Greece will post a liaison officer at the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region, which improves maritime security cooperation and information sharing in the Indian Ocean region.
Q6. Why is this news important for competitive exams?
This development is relevant for exams like Union Public Service Commission civil services, defence recruitment exams, and state PSCs because it relates to international relations, defence strategy, and maritime security.
Q7. What areas of cooperation are included in the five-year roadmap?
The roadmap includes joint exercises, training programs, defence technology exchange, and industrial partnerships.
Q8. How does the pact impact maritime security?
It strengthens maritime domain awareness and cooperation in securing sea routes, which is important for global trade and regional stability.
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