India, Greece Sign Joint Declaration to Boost Defence Cooperation

India and Greece on Monday signed a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDoI) to strengthen defence industrial cooperation, marking the start of efforts to develop a five-year roadmap for deepening bilateral engagement in defence manufacturing and military collaboration.

The declaration was signed after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks with Greek Minister of National Defence Nikolaos-Georgios Dendias at the Manekshaw Centre here. The two sides also exchanged the Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan for 2026 , which will guide defence exchanges and engagements between the armed forces of both countries.

In a post on X, Singh welcomed Greece’s announcement to position an International Liaison Officer at the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), Gurugram , a move aimed at enhancing maritime cooperation and information sharing between the two seafaring nations.

During the talks, both ministers reiterated that the India–Greece Strategic Partnership , elevated in recent years, is based on shared values of peace, stability, freedom and mutual respect. They agreed to expand the capacities of their indigenous defence industries by aligning India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative with Greece’s defence modernisation reforms under Agenda 2030 .

Greece, a NATO member since 1952 , has long maintained a strong defence due to its strategic location in the eastern Mediterranean and ongoing regional tensions, including disputes with neighbouring Turkey. Over the years, it has built capable air, naval, and aerospace forces, and ensures close coordination with NATO allies. This robust military posture makes defence cooperation a central part of Greece’s international partnerships.

Officials said the ministers discussed regional and global security issues and acknowledged growing convergence on maritime matters. The positioning of a Greek liaison officer at IFC-IOR reflects Greece’s interest in enhancing cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region, while India simultaneously seeks to expand its strategic engagement with Europe and the Mediterranean.

Earlier, the Greek defence minister paid tribute at the National War Memorial and inspected a tri-service Guard of Honour. The Hellenic delegation also visited defence and industrial establishments in Bengaluru and interacted with defence public sector undertakings, private industry and start-ups in New Delhi.

The defence ministry said the visit reaffirmed the long-standing ties between India and Greece and underscored the growing emphasis on practical defence and industrial collaboration as a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship.