Why India’s Warships Are Operating Near Turkey — and What Support It’s Gaining Across the Mediterranean and Caucasus

New Delhi: India is making a bold strategic push into the Eastern Mediterranean and South Caucasus, marking a clear effort to counter Turkey’s expanding regional influence. The move follows Operation Sindoor, after which Ankara sent a warship to Karachi in support of Pakistan. In response, the Indian Navy has sustained a near-continuous presence in waters close to Turkey — a demonstration of New Delhi’s evolving maritime assertiveness.

But India’s engagement extends far beyond patrolling. New Delhi is systematically building strategic partnerships with Turkey’s regional rivals — Greece, Cyprus, and Armenia — each of which has long-standing tensions with Ankara. Through coordinated drills, intelligence sharing, and defense cooperation, India is sending a calibrated message: Turkey’s influence will be met with strategic precision.

Turkey’s Historical Role

Turkey has traditionally sided with Pakistan, including during the 1971 India-Pakistan war. Turkish forces have trained Pakistani troops, and Ankara’s Bayraktar TB-2 drones were deployed against India. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s repeated references to Kashmir at the UN have only deepened the diplomatic rift.
India’s recent outreach to Turkey’s adversaries reflects a deliberate effort to balance Ankara’s regional posturing.

Armenia: A Key Partner in the Caucasus

Situated between Turkey and Azerbaijan, Armenia has turned to India for cutting-edge defense systems since 2022. New Delhi has supplied Akash-1S air defense systems, Pinaka rocket launchers, artillery, anti-tank weapons, and anti-drone systems.
These deliveries strengthen Armenia’s defenses against Turkey-backed Azerbaijan — raising the possibility that Indian and Turkish-made systems could face off in a future regional conflict.

Greece: Expanding Maritime Coordination

Greece has emerged as a vital component of India’s Mediterranean outreach. Both nations share security concerns over Turkey’s assertive maritime and airspace claims. After Greece publicly backed India following the Pahalgam terror attacks, Athens sought Indian assistance on Rafale operations and combat data sharing.
In August 2025, Indian frigate INS Tamal joined the Greek Navy for PASSEX exercises, followed by bilateral naval drills between INS Trikand and the Hellenic Navy in September. The exercises included anti-submarine warfare, boarding operations, and night gunnery coordination.
Reports also suggest India may supply Greece with long-range cruise missiles (1,000–1,500 km range) — a move that could significantly reshape the strategic landscape in the Aegean Sea.

Cyprus: Deepening Ties in the Eastern Mediterranean

Cyprus, locked in a decades-long dispute with Turkey since 1983, is now another key partner for India. In June 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first Indian premier in 23 years to visit the island nation.
Modi and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides signed a five-year strategic partnership covering cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, anti-trafficking, and joint naval cooperation.
In September 2025, INS Trikand conducted PASSEX drills with the Cypriot Navy at Limassol port — underscoring India’s growing visibility in the Mediterranean.

Strategic Takeaways

India’s expanding naval footprint and defense collaborations with Greece, Cyprus, and Armenia underline a coordinated strategy to contain Turkish influence. Analysts describe the approach as a synthesis of diplomacy, technology, and naval strength — effectively encircling Ankara’s regional sphere.
Greek defense analyst Paul Antonopoulos observed, “The deployment of INS Trikand in the Mediterranean signals India’s readiness to stand with Greece and Cyprus and challenge Turkey’s aggressive maneuvers.”

This marks a new phase in India’s foreign policy — one that blends long-term maritime strategy, defense partnerships, and geopolitical balancing. By combining military reach with diplomatic finesse, New Delhi is establishing itself as a decisive actor in regions where Turkey once held sway.