New Delhi, Feb 16 (IANS) Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh met Chief of the Hellenic Navy, Vice Admiral Dimitrios Eleftherios Kataras in New Delhi on Monday, holding discussions on advancing defence cooperation between India and Greece.

During the meeting, the two sides reaffirmed commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership between India and Greece.

In a statement shared on X, the Directorate of Public Relations, Ministry of Defence, stated, "Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh met Chief of the Hellenic Navy VAdm Dimitrios Eleftherios and held wide-ranging discussions to advance India–Greece defence cooperation."

"Discussions focused on maritime security, shipbuilding and autonomous platforms, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the Strategic Partnership," it added.

Earlier in the day, Vice Admiral Dimitrios Eleftherios Kataras met Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, with discussions focused on enhancing maritime cooperation through navy-to-navy and joint exercises and training exchanges.

Prior to the meeting, Vice Admiral Kataras received a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the South Block Lawns.

In a statement on X, an Indian Navy spokesperson stated, "VAdm Dimitrios Eleftherios Kataras, Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff was received by Adm Dinesh K Tripathi CNS, with a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the South Block Lawns, New Delhi, on 16 Feb 26."

"Discussions focused on enhancing bilateral maritime cooperation through expanded navy-to-navy and joint exercises, strengthened training exchanges, and greater operational collaboration. Both leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting maritime security, interoperability, and deeper professional engagement," it added.

Earlier this month, Greece's National Defence Minister Nikolaos-Georgios Dendias was on an official visit to India at the invitation of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

On February 9, Rajnath Singh and Dendias held talks in New Delhi and decided to expand the capacity of their respective indigenous defence industries through a partnership between India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and Hellenic defence reforms under 'Agenda 2030.'

The two ministers reiterated that the India-Greece Strategic Partnership is based on shared values of peace, stability, freedom, and mutual respect, according to the statement released by the Ministry of Defence.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Dendias discussed various issues of regional peace and security and acknowledged enhancing bilateral defence cooperation and strategic ties. A Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan for 2026 was also exchanged, charting the course for military engagements between the armed forces of both countries, it added.

--IANS

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