India, Greece upgrade ties to ‘strategic partnership’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Greece, described as “historic” as he was the first Indian prime minister to visit the country after 40 years, carried a significant business agenda. Both nations upgraded their relations to a ‘strategic partnership’ and pledged to double their trade by 2030.

• Upgraded status: PM Modi’s visit has upended this “comfortable” status quo by upgradingIndo-Greek ties to the level of a strategic partnership aiming to deepen cooperation in areas of trade, investments, security, defence, energy, migration, infrastructure, tourism, connectivity and agriculture.
• Trade routes: India discussed exploring alternative export routes post-Brexit, with a focus on Piraeus, Greece’s largest port.
  • Athens is aiming to position itself as India’s “gateway to the European Union”, connecting it with Europe, Asia, and Africa.
• Trade: During the meeting, Modi highlighted the goal of doubling bilateral trade by 2030 and announced an agreement in the field of agricultural production.
• From now, India and Greece will have an institutional platform for dialogue between their national security advisers.
• The two sides further decided to speedily finalize a mobility and migration partnership agreement to facilitate skilled migration.

What does upgrading ‘strategic ties’ mean?

• A 'strategic relationship', as the term suggests, involves a shared understanding between the two or more states involved on the nature of threats in the environment and the place of their collective power in helping mitigate the threats.
• This does not amount to an ‘alliance’, meaning a deeper relationship in which the states are treaty bound to come to each other’s assistance in case of materialisation of a threat against any member state.

India-Greece Relations:

• Background:
  • India and Greece established diplomatic relations in May 1950.
  • India opened its resident Embassy in Athens in March 1978.
• On International lines:
  • In modern times, the two countries have developed a warm 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.
  • India and Greece also share common approaches to many international issues, such as UN reforms and Cyprus.
  • Greece has consistently supported India’s core foreign policy objectives.
  • Greece participated with India in the Six-National Delhi Declaration on Nuclear Disarmament in 1985.
• Bilateral Trade relations:
  • Bilateral trade will go up in 2017-18 due to projects, joint ventures and increasing trade.
  • The main items of Greece’s exports to India are cotton, scrap (mostly aluminium, ferrous, copper and lead), marble and granite, aluminium foils, calcium carbonate, kiwi fruits and greasywool.
• Indian Diaspora:
  • There are about 10,000 Indian nationals living in Greece. Most of them are farm, factory or construction workers or small entrepreneurs.
  • A few Indian professionals work in multinational organizations in banking, insurance and software sectors.
  • Indians are a law-abiding community and enjoy cordial relations and goodwill of the native Greek community.
• Geopolitical Balance: Both countries are strategically positioned at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Strengthening ties allows them to contribute to regional stability and balance in these regions.
• Maritime Cooperation: India's 'Act East' policy aligns with Greece's focus on maritime connectivity through its Blue Growth strategy. Enhanced cooperation can boost trade, investment, and connectivity along sea routes.

Why Relations with Greece is significant for India?

• Geopolitical Balance: Both countries are strategically positioned at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Strengthening ties allows them to contribute to regional stability and balance in these regions.
• Maritime Cooperation: India's 'Act East' policy aligns with Greece's focus on maritime connectivity through its Blue Growth strategy. Enhanced cooperation can boost trade, investment, and connectivity along sea routes.

• Energy Security: Greece's role in the EastMed Gas Forum aligns with India's energy security interests. Collaborating in the energy sector can provide India with reliable sources of hydrocarbons.
• Cultural and Historical Ties: Ancient civilizations and shared cultural heritage foster cultural exchanges, tourism, and people-to-people connections, strengthening diplomatic bonds.
• Counterterrorism and Security: Collaboration in counterterrorism and security matters is crucial to combat transnational threats and ensure regional stability.
• Diplomatic Support: Both countries often align in international forums, amplifying each other's voices on global issues like climate change, multilateralism, and global governance.
• Trade and Investment: Exploring trade diversification and investment opportunities can stimulate economic growth in both countries.
• Defence Cooperation: Military cooperation can enhance defence capabilities and exchange of expertise in areas like naval technology and cybersecurity.

India’s growing relationship with Greece is clear evidence that New Delhi is no longer content with playing a passive role and is seeking to expand its global influence. What are the fruits of this pursuit, however, will only be clearer in the years to come.