India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, on February 7, 2024, held a meeting with his Greek counterpart Athanasios Ntokos in New Delhi. The meeting in line with the shared vision of the Prime Ministers of both countries delved into a spectrum of pressing issues crucial for global security and bilateral cooperation, people aware of the matter said.
Central to the discussions was the enhancement of institutional linkages between the National Security Councils of India and Greece. Both NSA underscored the significance of robust cooperation mechanisms to address emerging security challenges effectively.
The dialogue extended to encompass global and regional security dynamics with particular emphasis on fostering collaboration in vital domains like cybersecurity, space exploration and maritime security. The NSAs exchanged insights on mitigating common security threats and promoting stability in the Indo-Pacific Region and beyond.
They explored avenues for cooperation in futuristic technologies, defence and infrastructural development. This includes mutual endeavours in leveraging cutting edge innovations to bolster national security capabilities and exploring joint ventures in defence manufacturing.
On February 6, 2024, the External Affairs Minister Subramanium Jaishankar also exchanged views on key regional issues with Ntokos. He said that the key regional issues are very much in tune with our strategic partnership. Earlier in December 2023, the Greek Ambassador to India, Dimitrios Ioannou said that Indi has much to offer to Greece and vice versa. He also called Greece as India’s gateway to Europe.
Greece offers a lot of opportunities for Indians to come and invest in Greece and added that Greek cities like Athens and Thessaloniki can become the next Dubai for Indians in the future. In August 2023, PM Narendra Modi travelled to Greece for his maiden visit at the invitation by his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis. He was the first PM in the last forty years. India’s last prime ministerial visit to Greece occurred in 1983.
In modern times, the two countries have developed a war relationship based on a common commitment to democracy, peace and development in the world and to a social system imbued with principles of justice and equality, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted. Moreover, India and Greece share common approaches to many international issues such as Cyprus and UN reforms. Additionally, Greece sees India to be a potential good economic partner.
