India-Greece Relations: Background, Current Developments, and Challenges

Context:

This editorial is based on the news “Modi govt did for India-Greece ties what others didn’t in 40 years” which was published in the Print. The Greek Prime Minister will be the chief guest at the annual Raisina Dialogue that will be held in New Delhi from 21 to 24 February 2024. This would be the third consecutive year of having a European guest at the summit (European Commission President in 2022 and Italian PM in 2023). 

India-Greece Relations: Key Highlights 

• Economic Opportunities: The accompanying business delegation is likely to explore economic opportunities in multiple sectors.
• Strengthen the Ties: The visit marks a significant upgrade to India-Greece bilateral ties. 
• Expansion of Diplomatic Reach: It also builds on India’s strategic outreach to Southern Europe and the Mediterranean within the expanding diplomatic footprint in Europe at large.

Greece Map

India-Greece Relations: Historical Background

• Linkages: Both are among the world’s oldest democracies, with ancient cultures and civilisations. 
  • From Mauryan-era trade to the fascinating chronicles of Alexander the Great, linkages with Greece were significant in ancient India. 
• Known Rivers: Early Greeks knew of the river Ganges and called it Phison and the great Greek political philosopher Plato knew of the Indian tradition of mystic meditations. 
• Impacts: Plato’s celebrated work The Republic concludes with a reflection on the transmigration of souls, which has an indelible mark of Indian spiritualism. 

India-Greece Relations In Recent Times

• For the first time in 40 years, an Indian PM visited Greece and he was also conferred with Greece’s Grand Cross of the Order of Honour, the country’s second-highest civilian honour.
• The upgrade to a strategic partnership was built on the groundwork laid by the Indian External Affairs Minister in 2021 when he paid an official visit to Greece. 
• The Greek parliament ratified the International Solar Alliance (ISA), a treaty-based organisation that was proposed by Modi in 2015.
• New vistas have been opened to expand areas of convergence in trade, joint military exercises and connectivity projects.
• Greece’s strategic location is a gateway to Europe for India and the Gulf countries. India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) has linkages through Haifa in Israel and Piraeus in Greece. 

India-Greece Relations: Geopolitics Beyond Connectivity

• Support during UN Resolutions: India’s position on Cyprus is welcomed by Greece, which also backs India’s bid for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council.
  • Northern Cyprus declared independence in 1983 with Turkish support. India has supported the commitment based on United Nations (UN) resolutions. 
• On International Agreements: Greece supported India during critical international agreements relating to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), Australia Group, Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and the Wassenaar Arrangement.
• The Eastern Mediterranean: The tensions in this region is relevant to India when one considers Turkey’s support to Pakistan on Kashmir and at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. 
• Russia-Ukraine War: Against the backdrop of war and the improvement of US-Turkey ties, Greece and Turkey have vowed to improve bilateral ties. It will be a good sign for India.
• China Factor: China’s economic dominance in Greece makes it imperative for India to step up its presence. Also, Greece is looking for ways to untangle itself from Chinese overinvestments.
• In Economy Terms: In the second quarter of 2023, Greece recorded the second-fastest GDP growth in the European Union (EU) and provides an economic opportunity for India.

India-Greece Defence Relations and Security Vectors

• India-Greece defence relations have upgraded, in 1998, the first MoU on Defence Cooperation was signed, followed by Joint programmes of militaries and periodic visits of warships. 
• In April, the Indian Air Force, for the first time, participated in the multinational exercise INIOCHOS 23, which was hosted by the Hellenic Air Force with four Su30 and two C-17 aircraft. 
• In 2023, four Greek F-16s had their participation in Tarang Shakti, India’s largest air exercise.
• The co-training of Indian and Greek pilots and the familiarisation with the Greek F-16s.
• A dialogue mechanism also has been agreed between respective national security advisors.
• Opportunity for India: Both countries can explore India’s vibrant defence industry ecosystem to jointly produce and export a variety of defence equipment. 

Conclusion

With one of the largest fleets of merchant vessels, Greece can be significant for India’s engagements in the Indo-Pacific. India-Greece relations are mutually beneficial, in sync with geoeconomic and geo-strategic currants, with a strong mooring in civilisational links with a vast unexplored potential.