India ‘Necessary-To-Have’ Partner For Europe: Greek Defence Minister Says At India-EU Forum
India’s growing strategic weight in Europe came into sharp focus at the India-EU Forum, as Greece’s defence minister described New Delhi as a necessary partner for Europe’s future security and economic calculus. Image courtesy: RNA
Greece’s Defence Minister Nikos Dendias on Saturday (February 7, 2026) said India has emerged as an indispensable strategic and economic partner for Europe, marking a significant shift in European perceptions of New Delhi’s global role.
Speaking at the inaugural India-EU Forum 2026, Dendias underlined that India is no longer viewed as a peripheral partner but as a “necessary-to-have” ally for the European Union and for Greece in particular.
Addressing a special fireside chat at the forum, the Greek minister strongly endorsed the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union, saying it would deliver substantial economic gains.
“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, highlighting trade as a key pillar of the evolving partnership.
Dendias noted that Europe’s understanding of India has evolved significantly over time. “Maybe in the past, India was a nice-to-have but not a necessary-to-have. Now India is necessary-to-have,” he said, reflecting the growing strategic convergence between India and the EU amid shifting global geopolitics.
The two-day India-EU Forum, which concluded in New Delhi on February 7, focused on strengthening cooperation across trade, security, technology and geopolitical domains.
Organised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in partnership with the Ananta Centre, the Track 1.5 dialogue was held from February 6–7 and brought together more than 200 senior policymakers, industry leaders, thought leaders and policy practitioners from India and Europe.
According to the MEA, External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar addressed the forum’s inaugural session on February 6, setting the tone for discussions on deepening India-EU strategic ties.
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal also participated in a special session the same day, underscoring the economic dimension of the partnership, particularly trade and investment.
The discussions took place at a crucial moment in India-EU relations, following the recent India-EU Summit and renewed momentum in the India-EU Free Trade Agreement process.
Participants deliberated on ways to translate strategic convergence into concrete and actionable outcomes, especially in the areas of economic resilience, security cooperation, emerging technologies and supply chain diversification.
The inaugural India-EU Forum is expected to become a key platform for sustained engagement between India and Europe, reflecting the growing recognition on both sides of the need for a closer, more institutionalised partnership in an increasingly complex global environment.
