India - Greece Relations

Let us know about the India and Greece Relations. India and Greece share a cordial and growing relationship, characterized by mutual respect and cooperation. They have strong diplomatic ties, with regular high-level visits and dialogues. Both countries also cooperate in various international forums.

India and Greece share a historical relationship that dates back to ancient times, characterized by cultural exchanges and philosophical dialogues. In contemporary times, both nations have strengthened their ties across various sectors, including trade, defense, culture, and diplomacy.

Relations

Historical Context

Trade routes between the Indian subcontinent and ancient Greece.
Influence of Hellenistic culture in India post-Alexander the Great’s invasion in the 4th century BCE, which reached the north-western part of the Indian subcontinent.
Exchanges in philosophy and art, such as the spread of Buddhism in the Hellenistic world.
Diplomatic, trade, and cultural relations between India and Greece were mentioned in Ashoka’s edicts.
Greece’s struggles against Ottoman rule paralleled India’s own colonial challenges, fostering a sense of solidarity.
Trading between the Mauryan Kings and Greece is evidenced by coinage and writings.
Chanakya, in Chandragupta’s Court, records in Arthashastra about the Yavan Ambassador in the Kings’ court named Megasthenes.
Gandhara art, which flourished in the region of present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan, is believed to be a result of Indian and Greek influences.

Political Relations

Formal diplomatic relations established in 1950. As Greece opened its embassy in Delhi in 1950 and India opened its embassy in Athens in 1978.
Both nations have historically supported each other in international fora.
Participation in various global platforms, including the UN and Non-Aligned Movement.
Greece’s support for India’s position on Kashmir and other territorial issues.
Greece is also favouring United Nation Security Council (UNSC) expansion, with India as a permanent member.
Annual scholarship for Greek students to study in India by Indian Councils.

Economic Relations

Overview of bilateral trade: agricultural products, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and shipping.
The establishment of a Joint Business Council to enhance trade ties.
Bilateral trade between India and Greece stood at USD 2 billion in 2022-23.
Greek investments in Indian sectors such as shipping, tourism, and renewable energy.
Indian investments in Greece, particularly in the IT and telecommunications sectors.
India Participated as ‘Honoured Country’ in the 84th Thessaloniki International Fair(TIF), 2019, the largest annual commercial exposition of Greece.
Both the countries also aimed to double bilateral trade by 2030. They aimed to explore the new sectors such as renewable energy, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and innovation.

Cultural Relations

Dimitrios Galanos, a Greek, became the first European Indologist and spent 47 years in India translating many Hindu texts into Greek and compiled a Sanskrit-English-Greek dictionary of over 9000 words. His Chair for Hellenic Studies was established at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, India in September 2000.
Prof. Nicholas Kazanas, a distinguished Greek Indologist, was declared as one of the awardees of the prestigious Padma Shri award on the occasion of the 72nd Republic Day of India in 2021.

Strategic and Defence Cooperation

Growing defense cooperation, including joint military exercises and defense dialogues.
Potential for collaboration in maritime security, particularly in the Mediterranean region.
Greece’s role as a gateway to Europe for India.
Cooperation in multilateral forums, such as the EU, where Greece acts as a bridge for Indian interests.
Indian Air Force participation in Exercise INIOCHOS-23.

Challenges between the two

The implications of Turkey’s assertiveness in the Mediterranean and its effects on Greece-India ties.
Navigating relationships with other nations in the region that may influence Greece’s stance.
Trade imbalances and bureaucratic hurdles.
Need for improved logistics and connectivity between the two nations.

Recently things between the two

Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi visit to Greece ~ September, 2024
- India and Greece discussed avenues for cross-training in niche technologies and advanced courses, as well as ways to strengthen strategic and operational ties.
- Discussions focused on strengthening strategic and operational ties, enhancing bilateral military cooperation, and tackling evolving maritime challenges through a collaborative approach towards a stable and secure Mediterranean and Indian Ocean Region.
- Focused on the criticality of open sea trade routes.
- Both the countries laid the groundwork for advancing Indo-Greek defence collaboration with a focus on strategic naval opportunities, capacity building, shared training initiatives, and enhancing interoperability.
- Discussions focused on enhancing operational interactions and interoperability.