India now indispensable, ‘necessary-to-have’ partner: Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias

Greek Defence Minister, Nikos Dendias

• Greek Defence Minister: India is an indispensable partner for Europe.
• Greek minister backs India-EU Free Trade Agreement as mutually beneficial
• India-EU Forum 2026 hosted 200+ leaders to discuss trade, security, and tech

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Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias has said that India has emerged as an indispensable partner for Europe, highlighting a major shift in European perceptions of India’s strategic and economic importance, particularly for the European Union and Greece.

Speaking at the India-EU Forum 2026, Dendias noted how Europe’s view of India has evolved over the years.

“Maybe in the past, India was a nice-to-have but not a necessary-to-have. Now India is necessary-to-have,” he said.

Emphasising economic cooperation, the Greek Defence Minister strongly backed the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union, calling it mutually beneficial.

“The Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and India, I think, will serve a huge purpose, both for Europe, and individually for Greece as well,” Dendias said.

The inaugural India-EU Forum concluded in New Delhi on Saturday after two days of discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between India and the European Union across trade, security, technology and geopolitical issues.

Organised by the Ministry of External Affairs in partnership with the Ananta Centre, the Track 1.5 forum was held from February 6 to February 7 and brought together over 200 senior policymakers, industry leaders, strategic experts and thought leaders from India and EU member states.

According to the MEA, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed the forum’s inaugural session on February 6, while Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal participated in a special session the same day. Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias addressed a special fireside chat on February 7.

“The inaugural edition of the India-EU Forum was organised by MEA in partnership with Ananta Aspen on 6-7 Feb, 2026. EAM S Jaishankar addressed the inaugural session of the Forum on 6 Feb. CIM Piyush Goyal participated in the Forum in a special session on 6 Feb. The Greek Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, addressed a special fireside chat at the Forum on 7 Feb. The Forum brought together more than 200 policymakers, thought leaders, and policy practitioners from India and Europe, who deliberated on important areas of cooperation between India and Europe,” the MEA said in a post on X.

The discussions took place at a crucial time, coming soon after the recent India-EU Summit and the conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, with participants focusing on translating growing strategic convergence into concrete outcomes.