Athens, Greece – Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) of the Indian Navy, recently concluded a landmark visit to Greece, marking the first time an Indian Navy chief has visited the nation.
The visit focused on bolstering the bilateral defence relationship between the two countries, with a particular emphasis on maritime security and cooperation.
Adm Tripathi engaged in extensive discussions with high-ranking Greek defense officials, including the Deputy Minister of Defence, the Chief of Hellenic National Defence General Staff, and the Chief of the Hellenic Navy. These meetings underscored the shared commitment of both nations to a stable and secure maritime environment in the Indian Ocean Region and the Mediterranean.
Key areas of focus during the visit included enhancing interoperability through joint training exercises and exploring new avenues for defense collaboration. Both sides expressed a keen interest in expanding joint maritime activities, with potential port calls and increased participation in each other's training programs.
Greece has shown interest in utilizing Indian Navy training facilities and participating in the Admiral’s Cup Sailing Regatta in December 2024. Reciprocally, Greece offered Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST)-level training opportunities to the Indian Navy.
Further strengthening the partnership, discussions also included the possibility of a White Shipping Information Exchange (WSIE) agreement. This agreement would facilitate the sharing of information about commercial shipping traffic, enhancing maritime domain awareness and security in the region.
Additionally, both navies are considering Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks to further deepen their strategic and operational collaboration.
This visit signifies a deepening of the strategic relationship between India and Greece, built on a foundation of mutual respect and shared goals for maritime security. The increased cooperation between the two navies is expected to contribute significantly to stability and security in their respective regions.
