New Delhi, February 9
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with Minister of the National Defence of the Hellenic Republic Nikolaos-Georgios Dendias in New Delhi today. Both Ministers reiterated that the India-Greece Strategic Partnership is based on shared values of peace, stability, freedom, and mutual respect. The two countries decided to expand capacity of their respective indigenous defence industries through partnership between India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and Hellenic defence reforms under ‘Agenda 2030’. A Joint Declaration of Intent on strengthening the defence industrial cooperation between India and Greece was signed which is a starting point for developing a five-year roadmap.
The Defence Ministers discussed various issues of regional peace and security and acknowledged deepening bilateral defence cooperation and strategic ties. A Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan for 2026 was also exchanged, charting the course for military engagements between the Armed forces of both countries. Convergence between both the ancient sea faring nations on various key maritime issues was also highlighted. The Greek side announced the positioning of a Greek International Liaison Officer at Information Fusion Center-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), Gurugram.
Prior to the meeting, the Greek Defence Minister laid a wreath at the National War Memorial, and paid homage to the bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation. He also inspected the Tri-service Guard of Honour at Manekshaw Centre. During the stay, the Hellenic Delegation also visited key Defence and Industrial establishments at Bengaluru, and interacted with DPSUs, Defence Industry and Start-up representatives New Delhi. The visit reaffirms Strategic Partnership between India and Hellenic Republic, which is based on long-standing warm and close relationship between both countries and peoples.
