Greece, India to sign 1st-ever defense cooperation agreement: Report

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - Greece and India will sign their first-ever defense cooperation agreement, local media reported Thursday.

The partnership will involve joint military exercises and activities with personnel and assets from all three branches of the armed forces, including special forces, according to the Kathimerini daily.

The two countries’ militaries will participate in each other’s large-scale national exercises and take part in international exercises in Athens and New Delhi, it added.

The daily said the agreement also foresees the exchange of military personnel and collaboration in matters of national intelligence, technology and innovation.

This comes following a series of recent developments in Greek-Indian diplomatic and military ties, with the leaders of the two countries agreeing to deepen relations and create strategic partnerships in many areas.

Against this backdrop, the Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, Dimitrios Houpis, will travel to India next week to meet with his Indian counterpart Gen. Anil Chauhan and other high-ranking officials.

Apart from defense matters, collaboration between the Greek and Indian Navy and the prospect of the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) are expected to be discussed during the visit, the daily added.