India and Greece Conclude First Ever Naval Exercise in the Mediterranean

In mid-September 2025, India and Greece came together in the Mediterranean Sea for their first-ever bilateral naval exercise, an event that may look routine on the surface but in reality carries deep strategic meaning. With the Indian Navy’s INS Trikand joining hands with the Hellenic Navy’s HS Themistokles, both countries signaled not only military cooperation but also a shared vision for stability in a turbulent region.

A Blend of Training and Diplomacy

The exercise was structured in two parts — a harbour phase at the Salamis Naval Base, and a sea phase across the Mediterranean waters. On paper, these phases focused on cross-deck visits, professional exchanges, VBSS drills, anti-submarine operations, and gun firing practice. But the real story lies beyond tactics:

• The harbour phase allowed Indian and Greek sailors to step aboard each other’s warships, exchange professional knowledge, and participate in cultural programs. Symbolically, it showed that the exercise was not only about ships and weapons, but also about human connection and trust-building.

• The sea phase demonstrated joint strength, as both navies practiced night-time boarding operations, replenishment-at-sea drills, and coordinated helicopter operations. These maneuvers displayed a growing ability to function as one cohesive force in real-world scenarios.

Why the Mediterranean Matters for India

For India, operating in the Mediterranean is not simply a demonstration of naval reach. It is part of a broader effort to expand influence into regions where energy security, trade routes, and strategic partnerships intersect. The Mediterranean has historically been a zone of great power competition, and India’s visible presence there sends a message: New Delhi is willing to be a stakeholder in European security as much as in the Indian Ocean.

For Greece, the exercise is equally symbolic. Situated at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Greece faces security challenges in its maritime environment. Its partnership with India offers not just military cooperation but also a chance to diversify alliances in a changing geopolitical climate.

Beyond Military Manoeuvres

This exercise also carried strong diplomatic undertones. A cultural evening on INS Trikand, attended by Indian diplomats and senior Greek naval officials, reinforced the sense that defence ties are becoming part of a broader strategic partnership. The visit of Indian sailors to the Acropolis in Athens reflected another layer of exchange — one that values history and heritage alongside hard power.

A Step Toward the Future

The real impact of this first-ever exercise will be measured not only in tactical skills gained but also in how it shapes the India–Greece relationship over the coming years. Both nations share concerns about maritime security, free navigation, and the stability of sea routes. By training together, they build the muscle memory for cooperation in times of crisis, whether it involves humanitarian missions, counter-terrorism at sea, or responding to regional tensions.

Looking ahead, this initiative could expand into larger, multilateral frameworks, bringing in other European or Indo-Pacific partners. If that happens, the 2025 India–Greece exercise will be remembered as the first step in a wider strategic convergence.

The India–Greece naval exercise in the Mediterranean Sea is much more than a military drill. It represents a new alignment of interests between a rising Asian power and a European state positioned at a strategic crossroads. It reflects India’s growing confidence in projecting naval strength far from home and Greece’s recognition of India as a partner beyond the traditional Euro-Atlantic framework.

In the years to come, such exercises could become defining markers of how nations build trust, interoperability, and common vision in an era where the seas remain central to global power dynamics.