India, Greece hold first-ever joint services staff talks NEW DELHI: India and Greece have taken a major step towards strengthening their defence partnership by holding the inaugural India-Greece Joint Services Staff Talks in New Delhi. The landmark dialogue highlighted the growing convergence between the two countries on defence and security matters and signalled an intent to deepen military-to-military cooperation.The talks were co-chaired by senior officials from India’s Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) and the Hellenic National Defence General Staff of Greece. Senior representatives from both sides held detailed discussions on expanding the scope and depth of bilateral defence engagement, reflecting a shared strategic outlook.In a post on X, HQ IDS said the talks focused on “further expanding bilateral military cooperation,” adding that discussions covered exchange programmes, capability development and measures to enhance military-to-military engagement.It noted that ongoing defence engagements and initiatives were comprehensively reviewed, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deepening strategic cooperation and strengthening defence ties. “This engagement will herald a new era in India-Greece defence relations, marked by enhanced mutual trust and a shared commitment to regional and global security,” the post said.A key focus of the deliberations was on strengthening collaboration through structured exchange programmes, capability development initiatives and practical steps to enhance operational engagement between the armed forces of the two countries. Existing defence engagements were also reviewed to ensure continuity, while new avenues of cooperation across domains were identified, as per news agency ANI.The talks build on recent momentum in bilateral defence ties. Last month, India and Greece held their first India-Greece Maritime Security Dialogue in Athens. According to a statement by the ministry of external affairs, the two sides exchanged assessments of the maritime environment in the Mediterranean, Arctic and Indo-Pacific regions and discussed cooperation to ensure a secure maritime environment. Both countries agreed to advance cooperation across identified areas and decided that the next round of talks would be held in New Delhi at a mutually convenient date.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Great Powers Lost Moral Compass, China Threat Real For India Despite BRICS’: Shashi Tharoor Warns15 Satellites Lost, But Spanish ‘KID’ Defies Odds In ISRO PSLV C62 SetbackPM Modi Says Tamil Culture Is India’s Shared Heritage, Pongal Strengthens Ek Bharat SpiritOperation Sindoor Showed Power Of Indian Youth, Says Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi In Defining MomentMultiple Pak Drones Sighted In J&K, Second Time In 48 Hours; Locals Recall HorrorMarco Rubio Talks To Jaishankar On India-US Trade Deal Talks, Congratulates On Enacting Nuclear BillTibetan Government-In-Exile Urges India To Understand China’s Colonial MindsetAustralia Moves India to Highest-Risk AL3 Category for Student Visas“I Too Want to Help Develop an India Where We Listen…” Rahul Gandhi During Student InteractionCentre Steps In To Scrap 10 Minute Delivery Timers After Safety Fears In India’s Gig Economy Grow123Photostories10 Japanese etiquettes that quietly define classCanada bans travel to several countries, issues advisories for others: What does it say about India?From ‘Devdas’ to ‘Parineeta’: Period dramas that brought classic novels to life on screen12 must-try winter drinks from across India to keep you warmDelhi’s 400-year-old Barapullah Bridge to reopen after major restoration10 countries with the highest number of vegetariansHow to raise leaders: Lessons from Sadhguru parents should learn and understand firstNo rice on Ekadashi? 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NEW DELHI: India and Greece have taken a major step towards strengthening their defence partnership by holding the inaugural India-Greece Joint Services Staff Talks in New Delhi. The landmark dialogue highlighted the growing convergence between the two countries on defence and security matters and signalled an intent to deepen military-to-military cooperation.The talks were co-chaired by senior officials from India’s Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) and the Hellenic National Defence General Staff of Greece. Senior representatives from both sides held detailed discussions on expanding the scope and depth of bilateral defence engagement, reflecting a shared strategic outlook.In a post on X, HQ IDS said the talks focused on “further expanding bilateral military cooperation,” adding that discussions covered exchange programmes, capability development and measures to enhance military-to-military engagement.It noted that ongoing defence engagements and initiatives were comprehensively reviewed, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deepening strategic cooperation and strengthening defence ties. “This engagement will herald a new era in India-Greece defence relations, marked by enhanced mutual trust and a shared commitment to regional and global security,” the post said.A key focus of the deliberations was on strengthening collaboration through structured exchange programmes, capability development initiatives and practical steps to enhance operational engagement between the armed forces of the two countries. Existing defence engagements were also reviewed to ensure continuity, while new avenues of cooperation across domains were identified, as per news agency ANI.The talks build on recent momentum in bilateral defence ties. Last month, India and Greece held their first India-Greece Maritime Security Dialogue in Athens. According to a statement by the ministry of external affairs, the two sides exchanged assessments of the maritime environment in the Mediterranean, Arctic and Indo-Pacific regions and discussed cooperation to ensure a secure maritime environment. Both countries agreed to advance cooperation across identified areas and decided that the next round of talks would be held in New Delhi at a mutually convenient date.
![Zoji La [Ladakh] SRINAGAR: Zoji La tunnel, an upcoming strategic corridor that will provide all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh, is nearing a defining moment, with engineers inching towards a “breakthrough” final blast expected around May 30.Work is progressing at about four meters per day from both ends — Sonamarg (Baltal) in Kashmir and Minamarg in Ladakh — using controlled drilling and blasting. Only 300 meters of the 13.155km tunnel is left to excavate, Harpal Singh, chief operating officer (COO) of Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL), told TOI. The Hyderabad-based company is executing the project.“The final blast will bring the excavation phase to a close, completing the tunnel’s core structure,” Singh said, adding the blast will signal the physical connection between Kashmir and Ladakh.According to Singh, this historic milestone will be achieved by reducing tunnel excavation to zero within 30 to 35 days. “Breakthrough will ensure speedy construction of the remaining works, including concrete lining, permanent tunnel drainage, installation of surveillance equipment, control buildings, underground transformers and (traffic) smoke control systems,” Singh explained.The tunnel is still another two-and-a-half years from completion. Before it is opened to the public, the breakthrough will allow construction teams and machines to move seamlessly between two ends, streamlining work. “The teams and equipment can move through the tunnel without any hassle,” Singh said, adding this will help sustain construction through winters when heavy snowfall in Sonamarg halts surface movement.The tunnel will reduce distance between the two ends (Sonamarg and Minamarg) from 49km to 43km and increase vehicle speeds from 30kmph to 70kmph, officials said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSamrat Chaudhary Becomes Bihar CM: A Political Journey Marked by Setbacks and ReinventionIran Expresses Confidence In India’s BRICS Presidency Amid West Asia ConflictPM Modi, Donald Trump Hold 40-Min Phone Call, Discuss Strait Of Hormuz, West Asia SituationPak Enters Noida? 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Only 300 meters of the 13.155km tunnel is left to excavate, Harpal Singh, chief operating officer (COO) of Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL), told TOI. The Hyderabad-based company is executing the project.“The final blast will bring the excavation phase to a close, completing the tunnel’s core structure,” Singh said, adding the blast will signal the physical connection between Kashmir and Ladakh.According to Singh, this historic milestone will be achieved by reducing tunnel excavation to zero within 30 to 35 days. “Breakthrough will ensure speedy construction of the remaining works, including concrete lining, permanent tunnel drainage, installation of surveillance equipment, control buildings, underground transformers and (traffic) smoke control systems,” Singh explained.The tunnel is still another two-and-a-half years from completion. Before it is opened to the public, the breakthrough will allow construction teams and machines to move seamlessly between two ends, streamlining work. “The teams and equipment can move through the tunnel without any hassle,” Singh said, adding this will help sustain construction through winters when heavy snowfall in Sonamarg halts surface movement.The tunnel will reduce distance between the two ends (Sonamarg and Minamarg) from 49km to 43km and increase vehicle speeds from 30kmph to 70kmph, officials said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSamrat Chaudhary Becomes Bihar CM: A Political Journey Marked by Setbacks and ReinventionIran Expresses Confidence In India’s BRICS Presidency Amid West Asia ConflictPM Modi, Donald Trump Hold 40-Min Phone Call, Discuss Strait Of Hormuz, West Asia SituationPak Enters Noida? Stunning Twist To Wage War As Workers Riot In NCR; Yogi Minister Drops BombshellFuel Price Freeze Amid Hormuz Crisis Is Costing Oil Companies Thousands of Crores DailyChina Defends Renaming Places In Arunachal After India Slams Beijing’s ‘Mischievous Attempt’Bihar DY CM Puzzle for JDU, Nishant Kumar Reluctance Complicates NDA MathNitish Kumar Resigns After 20 Years as Bihar CM; BJP Names Samrat Choudhary as SuccessorWomen’s Reservation Bill Explained: How 850-Seat Lok Sabha Plan Promises To Change Indian PoliticsExplained: Supreme Court Backs Right to Vote but Denies Relief to Bengal’s Deleted Voters123PhotostoriesWhy this new rice variety is called ‘Designer Rice’ and how it will impact your protein intake10 free things to do in Noida that are actually worth your timeHow to make Chef Sanjeev Kapoor-style Langarwali Dal6 essential real estate investment strategies for first-time buyers9 unique food etiquette rules from around the worldTop 5 IT hubs in India driving real estate demandArgue without breaking up: 5 simple rules every couple needs to know‘Bhooth Bangla’, ‘Dacoit’ To ‘The Drama’: What to watch in theatres this Week5 things you can bake beyond bread in an OTGIsrael–Lebanon tensions flare again: Inside Hezbollah’s arsenal and Lebanon’s military hand against Israel123Hot PicksIran warStock market holidayPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingDelhi-Dehradun ExpresswayStock market holidayBank holiday todayKaty PerryAnna Kepner murderDon TzuPraful HingeIPL Points TableKavya MaranNFL news roundup")
