New Delhi Summit: India, EU Sign New Security and Defence Partnership at
New Delhi Summit: India and the European Union on Tuesday formalised a major step in their strategic relationship by signing a Security and Defence Partnership during the 16th India–EU Summit held in New Delhi. The agreement marks the first comprehensive framework governing defence and security cooperation between the two sides, moving the relationship beyond consultations and ad hoc collaboration.
Although India and the EU have maintained a strategic partnership since 2004, cooperation in defence had largely remained limited to dialogue forums, joint exercises, and coordination on specific issues. The newly signed framework provides a structured and institutional basis for sustained engagement in security-related areas.
A First-of-Its-Kind Framework With the European Union
European Council President António Costa described the agreement as the EU’s first overarching security and defence arrangement with India. With this development, India joins Japan and South Korea as the only Asian partners to have concluded a formal defence framework with the European bloc.
Officials from both sides indicated that the partnership reflects shared concerns over regional and global security challenges and a growing alignment in strategic outlooks, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
Defence Industry Cooperation and EU Rearmament Plans
According to an official government statement, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted India’s potential role in supporting the EU’s defence modernisation drive during his meeting with European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas. Singh noted that India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem could contribute to the EU’s ReArm initiative, especially as Europe looks to diversify suppliers and reduce strategic dependencies.
The ReArm initiative, launched earlier this year, is designed to significantly expand Europe’s defence production and industrial capacity. The programme aims to mobilise up to $800 billion in defence-related spending, including a $150 billion joint procurement mechanism intended to address capability gaps revealed by the war in Ukraine.
Integrating Supply Chains and Building Trusted Ecosystems
Indian officials said the partnership aligns with India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, which seeks to strengthen domestic manufacturing while integrating Indian firms into global supply chains. Singh emphasised that the framework would help connect Indian and European defence industries, creating what he described as trusted defence ecosystems.
To ensure continuity and oversight, the agreement establishes an annual EU–India Security and Defence Dialogue. This mechanism will monitor implementation, review progress, and identify new areas for collaboration.
Expanding Cooperation Across Strategic Domains
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa said the partnership would broaden cooperation in several key areas, including maritime security, counterterrorism, cyber defence, and emerging technologies. The joint summit statement also referenced cooperation on space security, hybrid threats, and defence-related research and innovation.
Both sides underscored the importance of closer coordination as security challenges increasingly span multiple domains and regions.
Strengthening Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean
One of the most tangible outcomes of the agreement is enhanced maritime cooperation. India accepted a proposal from the EU to place a liaison officer at the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region in Gurugram. The move is intended to improve real-time information sharing, threat assessments, and coordination on counter-piracy efforts in the Indian Ocean.
Officials said the arrangement would help both sides better monitor maritime activity and respond to shared security concerns in critical sea lanes.
Existing Defence Ties and Industrial Collaboration
India’s defence engagement with European countries already includes several major platforms and industrial partnerships. These range from the induction of Rafale fighter aircraft and the construction of Scorpene-class submarines in India to the domestic assembly of Airbus C295 transport aircraft through collaboration with Indian industry.
European defence firms are also working with Indian partners on technology transfers, joint production, and component manufacturing, further embedding Indian companies into European defence supply chains.
Growing Role of Indian Private Industry
In parallel, Indian private defence firms have begun supplying European countries with ammunition, electronic systems, naval maintenance services, and unmanned platforms. These exports have gained momentum as European governments seek to address supply constraints amid accelerated rearmament plans following the Ukraine conflict.
Next Steps in Security Cooperation
The summit also announced the launch of negotiations for an India–EU Security of Information Agreement. Once concluded, this pact would allow the secure exchange of classified and sensitive information, enabling deeper operational cooperation across defence and security sectors.