Athens, November 1, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indian Naval Ship (INS) Trishul has arrived at Souda Bay in Greece during its ongoing operational deployment to the Mediterranean Sea, with the port call aimed at strengthening maritime cooperation and professional ties between the Indian Navy and the Hellenic Navy, the Ministry of Defence said on Sunday.
During the visit, the ship’s crew will participate in a series of activities involving both navies, including interactions with senior Hellenic Navy officials and the Indian Embassy in Athens.
The programme will feature professional discussions, cross-deck visits, cultural exchanges and familiarisation with facilities at the Naval Support Activity (NSA) Souda Bay and the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre (NMIOTC), according to the Defence Ministry.
The crew will also pay homage at the Souda Bay War Cemetery. The naval ship will remain open to visitors during the port call.
“The visit will further consolidate maritime cooperation and strengthen professional linkages between the Indian Navy and the Hellenic Navy,” the Ministry said.
The visit comes amid efforts by India and Greece to expand their defence partnership. During discussions in October, both countries underlined the importance of regular exchanges between their defence forces through technical-level interactions and greater collaboration in defence industries.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh met General Dimitrios Choupis, Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, with discussions covering military-to-military ties and ways to strengthen strategic cooperation.
During his visit to Athens, Singh also held talks with Greece’s Deputy Minister of National Defence Athanasios Davakis. Both sides agreed to expand defence cooperation, with priority areas including policy planning, Joint Staff Talks and defence industry collaboration.
“Both sides agreed to expand defence cooperation, prioritising policy planning, Joint Staff Talks and defence industry collaboration, alongside capacity building, joint exercises and regular bilateral exchanges,” the Ministry had said.
Singh also met Greece’s Permanent Deputy Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Alexandra Papadopoulu to discuss the evolving defence and strategic partnership between the two countries.
The Ministry of Defence has highlighted that India and Greece attach particular importance to expanding maritime security cooperation and strengthening their partnership in maritime affairs and defence industries.
During the visit, the Defence Secretary also paid tribute to fallen soldiers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the Hellenic Armed Forces at Syntagma Square in Athens.
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