Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias has arrived in India for an official visit starting Friday, February 6, 2026. He is visiting at the invitation of his Indian counterpart, Rajnath Singh.
During his visit, Dendias is scheduled to meet with India's Minister of External Affairs, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, on Friday at 17:30 local time. On Saturday, he will participate in a discussion at the India-EU Forum at 10:30 local time, where he will discuss international developments and security issues, at the invitation of the Indian Foreign Minister. On Sunday, February 8, Dendias will travel to Bangalore to visit the hub of Indian companies active in innovation and modern technology development. On Monday, February 9, Dendias is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at 17:30 local time in New Delhi, which will be followed by delegation-level talks between the two countries.
The Greek Minister's visit aims to explore opportunities for cooperation between the Greek and Indian defence industries. This visit also aligns with the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, which is expected to create vast economic opportunities for both India and the European Union through preferential market access and deeper integration.
Nikos Dendias has previously expressed his support for a stronger Indian role in international affairs. Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's trip to the United States, Dendias emphasized India's growing status as a major global power and Athens' desire to see New Delhi take a more active role in regions such as the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. He stated that an Indian military presence in these regions would benefit the entire world. Dendias has also noted that he is a close friend of India's Minister of External Affairs, Dr. Jaishankar, and admires India's economic achievements. He has also expressed admiration for the capabilities of the Indian Air Force.
India and Greece share close and friendly ties based on shared values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. The bilateral relationship is marked by civilizational linkages and frequent high-level visits. In March 2022, Nikos Dendias paid an official visit to India, during which he met with the External Affairs Minister. During that visit, both sides discussed ways to further strengthen ties and expressed hope that the Joint Economic Committee Meeting in Athens would boost trade and investment. They also acknowledged the increase in trade despite pandemic challenges and agreed to collaborate in sectors like shipping, IT, agriculture, renewable energy, and pharmaceuticals.