India-Greece defence ties spotlighted as ministers meet Delhi
India-Greece defence cooperation as Rajnath Singh meets Nikos Dendias, bilateral talks, Joint Services Staff Talks, maritime exercise planned
India and Greece are set to take another step forward in their defence relationship. Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias and Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will meet in New Delhi on Monday, February 9, 2026. The meeting will take place at the Manekshaw Centre.
Officials say the main focus of the talks will be defence cooperation. Both sides want to explore new ways to work together. A senior Defence official said the meeting is important and comes at the right time.
This visit shows how relations between India and Greece are growing stronger. Defence ties between the two countries have picked up speed over the past few months. What once was a limited relationship is now turning into a steady and structured partnership.
Mr. Dendias has spoken warmly about India in recent days. On Saturday, February 7, 2026, he addressed the India-EU Forum 2026. During his speech, he called India an indispensable partner for Europe. He said India’s role has become much more important for the European Union and for Greece.
He also spoke about how Europe’s view of India has changed over time. In the past, India was seen as a distant partner. Today, that view is different. Mr. Dendias said India is now seen as a necessary partner. He pointed to India’s growing economy and strong position in global affairs. He added that Greece sees New Delhi as a key friend in the region.
Defence cooperation is a big part of this growing bond. In January this year, India and Greece held their first Joint Services Staff Talks. The talks were held in New Delhi. This was an important step. It helped both sides set up a regular system for defence discussions. Military officers from both countries took part and shared views on training, planning, and cooperation.
Officials believe these staff talks will help avoid confusion and build trust. They also allow both sides to plan long term. This kind of structure was missing earlier. Now it is slowly coming into place.
Maritime cooperation has also gained attention. In September 2025, the Indian Navy and the Hellenic Navy held their first ever bilateral maritime exercise. This exercise was held in the Mediterranean Sea. It was a major moment for both navies.
The exercise was held in two parts. The first part was the harbour phase. It took place at the Salamis Naval Base in Greece from September 13 to September 17. During this phase, sailors trained together on land. They shared procedures and learned about each other’s systems.
The second part was the sea phase. It was held on September 17 and 18. Naval ships went out to sea and carried out joint drills. These included communication exercises and basic manoeuvres. The aim was to improve coordination and understanding.
The Indian Navy was represented by INS Trikand. It is a guided missile stealth frigate. The ship and its crew played an active role in the drills. Greek officials praised the professionalism of the Indian sailors. Indian officials also said the exercise was useful and smooth.
These naval exercises showed that both sides are willing to work together far from home waters. It also showed trust. Such exercises are not done unless both sides feel confident about each other.
The upcoming meeting between Mr. Singh and Mr. Dendias is expected to build on these steps. Officials say the talks may look at training exchanges, defence industry links, and more joint activities. Nothing has been announced yet, but expectations are high.
Both India and Greece share concerns about security in their regions. They also support a rules-based order at sea. These shared views help bring them closer. Defence cooperation fits naturally into this picture.
Experts say the relationship is still growing, but the direction is clear. Each meeting and exercise adds a new layer. Over time, these layers form a strong base.
Monday’s talks are seen as another brick in that base. They may not bring big announcements, but they are important. Quiet progress often lasts longer.
As India looks to deepen ties with Europe, and Greece looks to expand its partnerships beyond its neighbourhood, this defence dialogue matters. It shows how two countries, far apart in distance, are finding common ground through trust, shared interests, and steady effort.