India and Greece strengthen maritime and diplomatic cooperation

India and Greece are working to strengthen maritime cooperation and seafarer welfare. Dr. N. Reuben Paul, Chairman of the Merchant Navy Welfare Board (India) and Vice-Chairman of the Global Seafarers Organisation, met with the Indian Ambassador to Greece, Ravi Shankar, in Athens to discuss maritime issues.

Key topics included the rights, safety, and dignity of seafarers, pending claims regarding abandoned vessels and wages, and repatriation matters. Dr. Paul proposed the establishment of Global Seafarers Centres in Greece to provide essential services such as counseling and communication for seafarers of all nationalities. Discussions also addressed difficulties regarding crew changes at certain Indian ports for Greek shipping companies.

Separately, Greece's Deputy Minister for Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Stefanos Gkikas, reaffirmed Greece's commitment to maritime ties with India. Gkikas is scheduled to travel to India to attend ‘Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue 2026’. This follows previous diplomatic engagements between Ambassador Shankar and Greek military leadership regarding air force cooperation and multinational combat training exercises.