Syllabus
GS Paper 2 – Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Applications where to apply?
When asked about
– India-Greece relations
– India-Middle East- Europe economic corridor
– Bilateral Engagements
Context
The state visit by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to New Delhi (February 21-22) marks a significant milestone in the development of a strategic relationship between India and Greece.
Source
The Hindu | Editorial dated 20th February 2024
Greece’s gateway to Asia, India’s gateway to Europe
Both India and Greece acknowledge the significance of deepening ties amidst shifting global geopolitics and economic opportunities. The Greek Prime Minister’s visit follows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landmark trip to Greece in August 2023, underlining the growing enthusiasm for collaboration between the two nations.
Historical Linkages
India and Greece boast a historical connection spanning over 2500 years, nurtured by cultural exchange and shared democratic values. Today, their bilateral relations are multifaceted, encompassing political, economic, and military cooperation.
- Trade Routes: Maritime trade routes connected the Indus Valley Civilization with the Aegean, facilitating the exchange of spices, textiles, and ideas. Evidence exists of Indus seals found in Mesopotamia, potentially pointing to trade with Greece.
- Alexander the Great (326 BCE): His conquest of parts of north-west India led to cultural and diplomatic interactions. Greek ideas may have influenced Indian art, mathematics, and astronomy.
- Indo-Greek Kingdoms (2nd century BCE – 1st century CE): Hellenistic kingdoms were established in northwest India, blending Greek and Indian cultures. Gandhara art, with its Greco-Buddhist influences, exemplifies this fusion.
Bilateral relations
- India and Greece established diplomatic relations in May 1950
- Greece has been marked by consistent support to each other on issues of core national interest, such as Kashmir and Cyprus.
- Greece also favours United Nation Security Council (UNSC) expansion, with India as a permanent member.
Commercial Relations
- India and Greece are keen to increase their commercial and investment contacts.
- Greece looks for Indian investments in their program of privatization of public assets.
- Indian infrastructure company, GMR Group in a joint venture with GEK TERNA of Greece have won the tender for upgradation and management of Kasteli airport at Crete Island.
- The main items of Greece’s exports to India are cotton, scrap (mostly aluminium, ferrous, copper and lead), marble and granite, aluminium foils, calcium carbonate, kiwi fruits and greasy wool.
- India’s exports to Greece comprise petroleum products (jet fuel), automobile components and automobiles (cars & SUVs), flat rolled steel items, sesame seeds, frozen prawns/shrimps and squid, cashew nuts, coffee, nucleic acids and soybean oilcake.
- The proposal for an India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) underscores the potential for expanded economic collaboration.
- Greece’s advocacy for stronger EU-India relations and efforts to finalize bilateral trade agreements further enhance prospects for economic integration.
- Many Indian enterpreneurs assisted by ITPO and Ministry of Micro, Small and Mefuim Industries have regularly participated in the Thessaloniki International Fair held every year in northern Greece.
Defence ties
India and Greece’s defence cooperation has seen significant progress in recent years, particularly since the signing of the Defence Cooperation Agreement in 1998.
- EXERCISE INIOCHOS-23: Indian Air Force participated in this multinational exercise hosted by Greece in November 2023.
- Upgraded to Strategic Partnership: In 2018, India and Greece elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership, reflecting their deepening security cooperation and shared strategic interests.
Scope for Enhancement:
While India – Greece relations are in positive trajectory there is further scope for enhancing ties.
Strengthening Human Connections
- Student Exchanges: Expanding scholarship programs, joint research projects, and faculty exchange programs between universities in both countries.
- Cultural Programs: Organizing regular cultural festivals, art exhibitions, film screenings, and musical performances to showcase each other’s rich heritage.
- Media Cooperation: Encouraging collaborative journalism projects, joint media forums, and knowledge sharing between journalists from both nations.
- Tourism Promotion: Facilitating easier travel through relaxed visa procedures, direct flights, and promoting tourist destinations for mutual cultural immersion.
Diplomacy and Dialogue
- Think Tank Collaboration: Establishing joint research initiatives and policy dialogues between Indian and Greek think tanks to address shared challenges and explore opportunities.
- Civil Society Engagement: Promoting collaboration between NGOs, youth groups, and civil society organizations to foster grassroots connections and dialogue.
Preserving and Modernizing the Ancient Linkages
- Museums and Archives Cooperation: Facilitating exchange of historical artifacts, joint exhibitions, and digital archives to share cultural heritage and ancient knowledge.
- Modernizing Traditional Ties: Adapting traditional forms of art, dance, and music to contemporary contexts and promoting them through joint performances and workshops.
- Promoting Contemporary Collaborations: Encouraging collaborations between Indian and Greek artists, filmmakers, and entrepreneurs to create contemporary expressions of their shared heritage
Conclusion
The exchange of visits between Greek and Indian leaders signals a shared commitment to advancing bilateral ties. As the world enters a critical phase in 2024, the Greece-India strategic partnership assumes heightened importance. Government policymakers and businesses must capitalize on this momentum to forge deeper cooperation and realize the full potential of their relationship.
Related Topics
The India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC)
The India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) is an ambitious proposed economic corridor that aims to bolster economic development by fostering connectivity and economic integration between Asia, the Persian Gulf, and Europe. The corridor is envisioned to stretch from India to Europe through the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, and Greece.
Key goals of the IMEC include:
- Enhancing transportation efficiency: The corridor would create a multimodal network of shipping lanes, railways, and highways, aiming to reduce transit times and costs for goods moving between the three regions.
- Boosting trade: By facilitating easier movement of goods, the IMEC is expected to significantly increase trade volumes between India, the Middle East, and Europe.
- Creating jobs: The project is expected to generate significant employment opportunities in the logistics, infrastructure development, and other related sectors.
- Lowering greenhouse gas emissions: The use of more efficient transportation modes could help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with trade between the three regions.
Current status of the IMEC:
The IMEC was launched in September 2023 with a Memorandum of Understanding signed by India, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the United States. However, the project is still in its early stages of development, and there are several challenges that need to be addressed before it can be fully realized.
References
MEA.
PIB.
Practice Question
Highlight the key areas of cooperation between India and Greece. [150 words]