What Did the Maiden India-Greece Maritime Exercise Achieve?

Athens/New Delhi, Sep 20 (NationPress) The inaugural bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian and Hellenic Navies signifies a pivotal moment in the evolving defence collaboration between India and Greece.

This exercise, which wrapped up on September 18, unfolded in two distinct phases. The harbour phase occurred from September 13-17 at the Salamis Naval Base, followed by the sea phase on September 17-18.

The Indian Navy was represented by the guided missile stealth frigate INS Trikand, while the Hellenic Navy contributed the Frigate (FG) Themistokles, Submarine (SV) Pipinos, and an additional Greek Navy Submarine.

During the harbour phase, both navies' personnel engaged in various activities designed to enhance mutual understanding and operational synergy.

Notable events included cross-deck visits to improve operational familiarity, professional exchanges among crew members, and a pre-sail conference conducted onboard HS Themistokles, an Elli class frigate of the Hellenic Navy.

In a cultural exchange aboard INS Trikand, the ship welcomed Rudrendra Tandon, Ambassador of India to Greece, Commodore Spyridon Mantis, Commander of Salamis Naval Base, along with senior Hellenic Navy officers and their families.

This event highlighted India's vibrant traditions and reinforced the bonds between the two maritime forces. Furthermore, the crew visited the iconic Sacred Rock of Acropolis.

The sea phase featured intricate maritime manoeuvres and tactical drills involving both navies, including night VBSS operations, replenishment-at-sea processes, joint Anti-Submarine Warfare, coordinated gun firing, and cross-deck helicopter operations to boost interoperability.

These exercises not only affirmed the professional capabilities of both navies but also emphasized their readiness to work together in complex maritime situations. The successful execution of this inaugural bilateral exercise illustrates the increasing alignment of India and Greece on maritime security and cooperative engagement.

Both nations possess shared interests in maintaining safety, stability, and freedom of navigation across the global maritime landscape.

This collaboration presented an invaluable opportunity to exchange best practices, enhance interoperability, and foster professional relationships between the two navies.

Upon the exercise's conclusion, INS Trikand continued on to the next phase of its Mediterranean deployment.

Importantly, Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called PM Narendra Modi on Friday, expressing the Hellenic Republic's support for the swift conclusion of a mutually beneficial India-European Union Free Trade Agreement and for the success of next year's AI Impact Summit.

Mitsotakis also extended warm wishes on the occasion of Prime Minister Modi's birthday, to which PM Modi conveyed his heartfelt gratitude.