India and Greece enjoy warm and friendly relations rooted in a shared cultural heritage and democratic values. The two countries established diplomatic relations in May 1950, soon after India gained independence from British rule. Since then, the bilateral relationship has expanded steadily across diverse sectors.
Strategic Partnership
In recent years, India and Greece have taken steps to upgrade their relationship to a strategic partnership. This reflects a desire on both sides to expand cooperation in new areas beyond historical ties. Key drivers bringing the two sides closer include converging political interests, growing economic links and new opportunities for security cooperation.
During the COVID-19 crisis, India and Greece supported each other by facilitating medical supplies and easing travel restrictions for stranded citizens. This reinforced their friendly ties. As India emerges as a leading power, Greece sees opportunities to boost its own influence by allying more closely with India.
High-Level Exchanges
Bilateral ties have been augmented by frequent high-level visits and meetings. Greek Prime Ministers Alexis Tsipras and Kyriakos Mitsotakis have each visited India in recent years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Greece in 2016. Former Presidents Pranab Mukherjee and Ram Nath Kovind also travelled to Greece.
These high-level interactions have strengthened mutual understanding and identified new areas for collaboration. The two sides have instituted Foreign Office Consultations and other dialogue mechanisms to regularly review the full gamut of ties.
Defence and Security
Defence and security cooperation is a major pillar of the India-Greece strategic partnership. Greece has shown interest in co-producing defence equipment with India and procuring Indian platforms.
During PM Mitsotakis' 2020 visit, India and Greece signed a mutual military logistics sharing pact modelled on the India-US LEMOA. This allows both militaries access to each other's bases for supplies and repairs. The two countries also decided to explore collaborations in defence industries and technology.
The Indian Navy and Hellenic Navy regularly conduct joint exercises including Konkan, Ind-IndCorpat and other multilateral engagements. Moreover, intelligence agencies are cooperating to counter common threats like terrorism. These growing defence ties reinforce India's security outreach in the Mediterranean and Europe.
Trade and Investment
While political and strategic ties have expanded rapidly, economic links remain modest currently. Bilateral trade reached nearly $600 million in 2021-22 with Indian exports at $330 million and imports around $230 million. Major Indian exports include pharmaceuticals, machinery, yarn, vehicles and apparel. Greek exports comprise fertilizers, plastics, cotton, machinery and pharmaceuticals.
However, the potential for business exchanges remains largely untapped. India's attractiveness as an investment destination and Greece's geostrategic location provide openings to grow commercial ties. Pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, infrastructure, logistics, and tourism have promising prospects. The two countries aim to conclude a bilateral investment protection agreement to facilitate investments.
Connectivity Partnership
Maritime cooperation is vital for both countries as maritime nations on key international shipping routes. India has offered to work with Greece on environmental protection of marine ecosystems.
Greece's geographical position makes it a natural partner in India's connectivity outreach to Europe along the Indian Ocean-Mediterranean axis. Greece has endorsed India's Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and joined the International Solar Alliance. Greek ports can act as gateways for Indian trade to access Central European markets.
India is also developing the Chennai-Vladivostok maritime corridor which will facilitate connectivity with Russia via the Arctic Northern Sea Route. Greece's expertise in shipping and logistics can support India's connectivity goals in Eurasia.
Cultural Links
India and Greece share enduring cultural ties going back millennia. Greek philosophers and historians documented early connections. Trade links enabled exchanges of ideas between ancient civilizations. Buddhism was introduced in Greece under Alexander the Great's rule.
The modern renaissance of Indo-Greek cultural relations is evident in Yoga, dance, music, cinema, cuisine and other spheres. Indian scholars have translated Greek works like Plato's Republic into Indian languages. Greece has initiated a project to digitize ancient Indian manuscripts for preservation.
The Indian diaspora in Greece of around 15,000 persons forms an important living bridge. Prominent associations such as the Indo-Hellenic Society for Culture and Development are active in organizing cultural events and promoting dialogue. Protecting cultural heritage and boosting people-to-people ties remain priorities.
Future Prospects
As India rises on the global stage and Greece seeks to expand its strategic autonomy, the two nations are poised to become even closer partners in the coming decade. Their democratic values, overlapping security interests and complementarities can sustain a long-term partnership.
Some initiatives that can further strengthen ties include:
- Setting up institutional mechanisms for strategic consultations and policy coordination on global issues.
- Negotiating a free trade agreement to grow economic and commercial links.
- Collaborating in emerging sectors like fintech, startups, AI and renewables.
- Jointly developing energy resources in the Mediterranean and exporting to Europe.
- Co-producing defence equipment such as naval ship systems, drones and small arms.
- Promoting two-way investments in infrastructure, manufacturing, pharma and agriculture.
- Enhancing maritime domain awareness and joint patrolling in the Indian Ocean Region.
- Coordinating cyber security strategies and cooperating on law enforcement.
- Expanding research partnerships between institutes and universities in both countries.
- Promoting tourism in both directions by easing travel restrictions and visa policies.
- Supporting Greek companies to participate in India's flagship programmes like Make in India, Smart Cities etc.
- Deepening cooperation in international forums like the UN, WTO and on climate change.
In conclusion, India and Greece are taking their civilizational ties into the 21st century by connecting across the political, economic, cultural and strategic spheres. As two democracies located at opposite ends of the Indo-Pacific, they have much to gain by aligning more closely. With sustained efforts on both sides, the future of India-Greece relations looks very promising.
Here is a continuation on how India and Greece can contribute to universalism:
Promoting Pluralism
As culturally diverse democratic societies, India and Greece can collaborate to champion pluralism and tolerance in the world. They can:
- Jointly fund educational and cultural exchanges to increase inter-faith understanding.
- Partner on projects to preserve tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
- Speak out against radicalization, terrorism, racism and human rights violations.
- Support moderate voices that promote the peaceful co-existence of different groups.
- Share best practices on integrating migrant populations and minorities.
Advancing Equality
Both India and Greece can play a vanguard role in advancing equality and social justice globally. Potential initiatives include:
- Promoting gender equality and inclusive development through joint advocacy campaigns.
- Cooperating to end caste, ethnic and race-based discrimination via global fora.
- Sharing best practices on affirmative action policies for disadvantaged groups.
- Creating institutional mechanisms and legal frameworks to safeguard equal rights.
- Ensuring equitable access to healthcare, education, finance and justice.
Championing International Law
As rule-abiding democracies, India and Greece can jointly uphold international law and a rules-based global order. Efforts can include:
- Cooperating to reform and strengthen multilateral institutions like UN, WTO etc.
- Holding states accountable for contravening international treaties and laws.
- Promoting peaceful resolution of disputes through mediation and arbitration.
- Ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight on the high seas.
- Fighting against transactional policies that infringe sovereignty of smaller states.
- Enhancing maritime security cooperation to counter piracy, smuggling and terrorism.
Overall, India and Greece are well-placed to be the twin pillars of universalism in an increasingly fractured world. By capitalizing on their shared values and bringing their collective weight to bear, they can advocate for an inclusive, progressive and rules-based international order.
No comments:
Post a Comment