Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during the India-EU Business Forum in New Delhi
| Photo Credit:
–
India and European Union on Tuesday signed the first security and defence partnership framework to deepen ties in different domains — from maritime security, defence industry and technology to cyber, hybrid threats, space and counter‑terrorism. Experts feel the pact has come at an appropriate juncture when India is localising defence production, while Europe, led by Germany, has started rearmament.
Simultaneously, both the sides began negotiations on a Security of Information Agreement for facilitating the exchange of classified information and pave the way for a stronger cooperation in areas related to the security and defence, a joint-statement issued by India and EU after inking of the pact revealed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President of the European Council António Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the signing of the framework as part of the broader trade pact. They also adopted the Towards 2030: India–EU Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda, which identifies security and defence as one of five key pillars, with both sides committing to accelerate progress across these areas by 2030.
“The conclusion of security and defence partnership (SDP) between India and EU provides strategic intent and intimate policy guidance for closer defence industrial cooperation between the Indian and European defence industries. This comes at a crucial, and possibly apt time when India is localising defence production, while Europe, led by Germany, has begun rearmament,” Shailender Arya, Senior Advisor, The Asia Group, told businessline.
The coming together of India and EU is out of “geopolitical realities and growing cross‑regional security threats”, acknowledges the joint statement.
“As the two sides strengthen their security and defence capabilities, they will enhance preparedness across domains – from maritime security to hybrid threats, counterterrorism, space security and transnational crime – while deepening crisis‑management engagement and mutually beneficial defence‑industry collaboration,” the joint statement read.
As part of the bilateral agreement, the two sides would enhance the existing security and defence consultations to an annual EU-India Security and Defence Dialogue through the partnership.
2030 road map
The 2030 road map between the two involves consultation on respective defence initiatives, including through exchanges on defence industry-related matters.
“Explore, where there is mutual interest and alignment of security priorities, possibilities for India’s participation in relevant EU defence initiatives, as appropriate, in line with respective legal frameworks,” outlined the agreed agenda.
It also called for setting up the India-EU Defence Industry Forum to bring together businesses from both sides, with official participation as observers and associating EU member states, for further focused deliberations to explore opportunities.
The joint-statement addresses threats common to both India and EU emanating from terrorism, terror funding and radicalisation, and looks forward to enhanced cooperation in countering them. They have agreed to promote internationally agreed anti-money laundering standards, prevent exploitation of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes and tackle terrorist recruitment, including by building counter measures against terrorist propaganda and online radicalisation.
regional security
India and EU also agreed to deepen engagement on regional security, which seeks to address concerns borne out of China’s expansionist design. “Enhance cooperation to promote a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific built on international law and mutual respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and peaceful resolution of disputes, underpinned by effective regional institutions and reflective of inter-regional linkages,” the joint-statement noted.
The leaders have expressed willingness to pursue engagement through the EU’s participation in the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), as a dialogue partner and in the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC).
India and EU will also engage on the growing challenge of maritime pollution, safety and security of seafarers, and vessels which circumvent compliance to relevant and applicable international maritime regulations, to which they are party.
Published on January 27, 2026