India–EU security and defence partnership finalised, boosting maritime and cyber cooperation

India and the European Union on Tuesday formalised a Security and Defence Partnership, marking a major step in strengthening bilateral ties.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, along with the three service chiefs, met a high-level EU delegation led by Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, ahead of the 16th India-EU Summit.

A 'Milestone' agreement

Kallas called the agreement a “milestone” that reflects growing trust and cooperation, adding that the partnership will deliver concrete results in maritime security, cybersecurity, counterterrorism, and multilateral collaboration. She noted on X that “there is strong momentum for closer cooperation with India, and we are seizing it,” underlining that the partnership will advance bilateral and multilateral defence collaboration.

Rajnath Singh highlighted that shared values of democracy, pluralism, federalism, and the rule of law underpin India-EU ties. He described the technology and defence partnership as “trust in action,” noting it will translate these values into practical cooperation for global security, sustainable growth, and inclusive prosperity.

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According to EU officials, such partnerships are a key pillar of the bloc’s Strategic Compass, adopted in 2022, which aims to deepen engagement with non-EU partners. India becomes the third Asian country, after Japan and South Korea, to have such a deal. 

The partnership covers defence capability development, counterterrorism, maritime and cyber security, peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and crisis management, reflecting a comprehensive framework for long-term strategic collaboration between India and the EU.