With Threat From 'Third Enemy' 4,500 Km Away, India Offers BrahMos, Akash To Greece & Cyprus
Turkish news outlet TRHaber recently revealed that India made an informal offer to supply a Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LR-LACM) to Greece
While India's adversarial ties with Pakistan and China are well known, a third player has been quietly amplifying its hostility from behind the scenes, i.e. Turkey. Long perceived as a peripheral irritant, Turkey has increasingly emerged as a vocal opponent of Indian interests, most notably during military and diplomatic standoffs in recent years. Now, India appears to be recalibrating its strategy to directly counter Turkey's influence, particularly in the sensitive and conflict-ridden Mediterranean region.
During Operation Sindoor, India's counter-terror attack against Pakistan, Turkey reportedly played a critical behind-the-scenes role in aiding Pakistan. Not only did it extend political support, but according to Indian intelligence assessments, Turkey went as far as supplying advanced military hardware to Pakistan, surpassing even China in its tactical backing.
This covert hostility has not gone unnoticed. Turkish media outlets have recently expressed growing concern over India's pivot toward Turkey's regional rivals, interpreting it as deliberate payback.
India is now actively pursuing defence partnerships with nations that have longstanding hostilities with Turkey, namely Greece, Cyprus, and Armenia.
Turkish news outlet TRHaber recently revealed that India made an informal offer to supply a Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LR-LACM) to Greece. The missile, developed indigenously by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), reportedly has a range of 1,000-1,500 km and is engineered to evade Turkey's S-400 missile defense system. It was showcased at a defence exhibition in Athens in May 2025, where it garnered significant attention from Greek defence planners.
Military analysts believe the LR-LACM could offer Athens a critical edge in its long-standing territorial disputes with Turkey in the Aegean Sea. Turkish airbases in Izmir and Canakkale could fall within the missile's strike radius, a fact that has reportedly triggered alarm in Ankara's defence circles.
Cyprus, too, is increasingly turning to India. According to regional reports, India has offered Nicosia the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, a formidable naval weapon jointly developed with Russia. The move is seen as a direct challenge to Turkey's ambitious Blue Homeland doctrine, under which it seeks to project maritime dominance in the Eastern Mediterranean.
By arming Cyprus, India not only positions itself as a significant Indo-Pacific-to-Mediterranean defence player, but also signals a willingness to enter zones that have, until now, been dominated by Western or regional powers alone.
Beyond the Mediterranean, India is also deepening its defence engagement with Armenia, a country locked in a volatile rivalry with Turkey-backed Azerbaijan. Reports suggest India is in advanced talks to supply Akash surface-to-air missile systems, along with other critical defence platforms.
India's cooperation with Yerevan, including previous deliveries of weaponry in 2023 and 2024, reflects its broader strategy of counterbalancing Turkish expansionism, not just diplomatically, but on the battlefield if required.
India's outreach to Turkey's adversaries is more than symbolic. Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh's recent visit to Greece underscores the seriousness of this evolving partnership. The two air forces reportedly discussed joint exercises and interoperability, a clear signal that the defence ties are becoming institutionalised.
Moreover, India is subtly leveraging Turkey's uneasy standing within NATO. Turkey's controversial acquisition of Russian-made S-400 missiles has already caused rifts with Western allies. India, experts say, is tactically using this friction to erode Turkey's diplomatic leverage further.
The shift in India-Turkey relations is especially stark given their history. When a devastating earthquake struck Turkey, India was the first nation to send humanitarian aid and disaster relief teams. But despite that goodwill, Turkey's political alignment with anti-India forces has transformed it into what many in Indian defence circles now call the 'third enemy".
From rhetoric in multilateral forums to defense support for Pakistan, Turkey's trajectory has forced India's hand. As a result, India's counterstrategy, built on robust arms diplomacy and strategic alliances, is now unfolding in full view of the world.
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
35 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Sports minister Mandaviya to meet Usha, EC members to resolve IOA impasse
New Delhi: Union sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya will meet the Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha and executive committee members to discuss ways to end the long-standing governance crisis in the apex sports body, it has been learnt. Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, sports minister Mansukh Mandviya and IOA President PT Usha. (PTI) Usha and the EC members have been at loggerheads and that has severely impacted IOA's functioning. The EC has not ratified the appointment of Usha-backed CEO Raghuram Iyer. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) raised the governance issue with the Indian delegation that went to the IOC headquarters in Lausanne recently to discuss India's bid for the 2036 Olympics. Due to the governance issues, IOC has suspended its Olympic Solidarity grants to IOA. In the last few days, Mandaviya has made attempts to bring Usha and EC members to the negotiating table. He has held informal meetings with the EC members. It has been learnt that Usha too has reached out to a few EC members in her bid to break the ice. As reported by HT, the IOA truce started with Usha including treasurer Sahdev Yadav and EC member Bhupender Bajwa in a panel to set a roadmap for the delayed Boxing Federation of India (BFI) elections. Iyer, too, has spoken to some EC members. An official said his appointment is likely to be ratified now with certain renegotiations. 'A middle way is being worked out to break the deadlock,' the member said.
News18
37 minutes ago
- News18
BCCI Under RTI: Long-Stalled Sports Bill To Be Tabled Today, Likely To Clear Parliament
Last Updated: Despite not receiving government funding, the BCCI, like other national sports bodies, will have to comply with regulations set out by the sports ministry once the bill is enacted Union sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya is set to introduce the highly anticipated National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The legislation, focused on athlete welfare and systemic reform, represents a significant step towards transparency and accountability in Indian sports governance. A key provision of the bill is to bring all national sports bodies, including the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. This long-debated and previously resisted move is expected to finally become law, ending years of delay and political pushback. A previous attempt during the UPA era by then sports minister Ajay Maken failed due to opposition within his own party. Despite not receiving government funding, the BCCI, like other national sports federations, will be required to comply with the regulations set out by the sports ministry once the bill is enacted. This is particularly significant as the Indian cricket team prepares to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, which will place the BCCI within the framework of a national sports federation. 'It wasn't easy to bring the BCCI on board, but extensive dialogue was held between lawmakers and the BCCI top brass to ensure their cooperation," a source involved in the legislative process told CNN-News18. 'The government's intent is clear: to instill accountability and transparency across all sports federations in the country." Once enacted, the bill will mandate all recognised sports bodies to comply with the RTI Act, opening up access to decision-making processes, financial records, and governance structures to the public. The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, aims to overhaul the Indian sports ecosystem through a series of structural reforms, including legal clarity, gender equality, athlete empowerment, and enhanced public oversight. More than just a legal framework, the bill signals the dawn of a new era where athletes are not just competitors but active stakeholders in India's sporting future. India's sports sector has long been plagued by controversies such as mismanagement, opaque elections in sports federations, and poor athlete representation. With over 350 court cases pending across federations, the judiciary has consistently urged the government to legislate a comprehensive governance structure. Efforts to introduce such a bill date back to 2011, but progress was repeatedly blocked by legal challenges, shifting political priorities, and unresolved court interventions. The Delhi High Court's endorsement of the 2011 Sports Code and pending litigations around the 2017 draft further stalled momentum. Officials believe that beyond governance reform, the bill will also contribute to employment generation, better protection for athletes—especially women and minors—and a more ethical, competitive, and globally aligned sporting culture in India. First Published: July 23, 2025, 01:42 IST Latest News Bangladesh Air Force's F-7 BGI that crashed was a Chinese copy of the MiG-21 Breaking News Sports BCCI Under RTI: Long-Stalled Sports Bill To Be Tabled Today, Likely To Clear Parliament Cricket Harmanpreet's Century, Gaud's 6-Fer Help IND Beat ENG, Clinch ODI Series 2-1 Hollywood Benny Blanco Posts Selena Gomez's Sleeping Pics On Her Birthday: 'Never Waking U Up' news DOJ Seeks Meeting With Epstein's Ex Ghislaine Maxwell, Donald Trump Calls It An "Appropriate" Move latest news
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Explained: Why Trump Is Holding Out A Surprise Trade Deal With India Despite Agriculture Deadlock
New Delhi: With the clock ticking toward the August 1 deadline, India and the United States remain divided on key issues holding up a trade agreement. Agriculture and automotive components continue to block the finalisation of the deal, despite multiple rounds of negotiation between the two sides. The Indian negotiation team has returned from Washington after presenting its offer. According to sources close to the talks, New Delhi has placed its terms on the table and is now waiting. Agriculture, particularly the issue of opening the Indian market to U.S. farm imports, remains the core of the disagreement. India has cited concerns over the impact on domestic farmers and food security. The United States has expressed interest in securing agricultural concessions, especially as the outcome with India could set a model for its upcoming negotiations with Japan and the European Union. Officials involved in the process have not dismissed the possibility of a sudden move by President Donald Trump, who has previously unveiled trade agreements with Indonesia and Vietnam that diverged from what negotiators had initially discussed. These deals, which followed direct conversations between Trump and the respective heads of state, have made Indian officials cautious. India has shifted focus toward a broader Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), targeting a resolution by September or October. However, with President Trump's unpredictable approach, a last-minute announcement for a mini-deal remains on the table. Both sides are aware of the political weight Trump places on trade announcements and their potential electoral appeal. From India's end, agriculture and dairy continue to be areas where New Delhi has shown little room for compromise. From the U.S. side, resistance to reducing import tariffs on automotive components has been flagged as a sticking point. Officials have indicated that no agreement will be signed without addressing these core issues. Meanwhile, in a separate but related development, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, speaking on July 21, said that the Trump administration is prioritising the quality of trade agreements over meeting specific timelines. 'We are not going to rush for the sake of doing deals,' he told CNBC. When asked about the August 1 deadline, he stated that any decision to extend it would come from President Trump. Bessent also suggested that in the absence of agreements, higher tariffs could be reintroduced to increase pressure on negotiating countries. 'If we somehow boomerang back to the August 1 tariff, I would think that a higher tariff level will put more pressure on those countries to come with better agreements,' he said. He confirmed upcoming trade discussions with China, highlighting American concerns over Beijing's continued purchase of sanctioned Iranian and Russian oil. Bessent said there are broader economic imbalances that need to be addressed in future talks with Beijing. On Japan, he said the administration's focus remains on the trade outcome, not the country's internal political factors. He also indicated that the United States may push European countries to align with American positions, particularly if Washington proceeds with secondary sanctions on Russia. As of now, all eyes remain on President Trump. Whether he chooses to push through a trade deal with India before the deadline or hold out for further leverage remains to be seen. Indian officials have made clear that their side has submitted its final position and will wait for Washington's next move.
