New Delhi, Jan 27 (UNI) India and the European union on Tuesday agreed upon a Security and Defence Partnership and announced the launch of negotiations for an India-EU Security of Information Agreement.
Officials said that this was a vital outcome of the wide-ranging talks held between the two sides.
“A wide range of bilateral security and defence matters, including prospects for integrating supply chains to build trusted defence ecosystems and future-ready capabilities, figured prominently” in talks between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and European union High Representative/Vice President Kaja Kallas in the national capital, today.
In a post on X, the defence minister wrote, “Delighted to meet High Representative/Vice President (HR/VP) of the European Commission Ms. Kaja Kallas in New Delhi today. Discussed a range of bilateral security and defence issues including oppurtunities for integrating supply chains for building trusted defence ecosystems and future-ready capabilities. Looking forward to greater cooperation between India and the EU countries.”
In a statement issued, the European Commission stated that the leaders welcomed the signing of the India–EU Security and Defence Partnership, the first such overarching defence and security framework between the two sides that will deepen ties in the domains of maritime security, defence industry and technology, cyber and hybrid threats, space, and counter-terrorism among others.
They also welcomed the launch of negotiations on a Security of Information Agreement “that will facilitate the exchange of classified information and pave the way for a stronger cooperation in areas related to security and defence.”
Further, the leaders unequivocally and strongly condemned terrorism and violent extremism, in all its forms and manifestations including cross-border terrorism. They called for decisive and concerted international efforts to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner and in accordance with international law.
They agreed to enhance cooperation to counter radicalisation and violent extremism, combat financing of terrorism, promote internationally agreed anti-money laundering standards, prevent exploitation of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes, and tackle terrorist recruitment.
They condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025 and the terror incident near Red Fort, New Delhi on 10 November 2025.
“Cooperation on counter-terrorism, especially intel sharing is very important for both. India itself saw two major terror events last year. Radical groups are re-organising in South Asia, West Asia and even Europe and this is of concern to us all,” Shantanu Mukharji, former IPS officer and ex-National Security Advisor to Mauritius told UNI.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that India and EU share the principles of democracy, pluralism and the rule of law which underpin the steadily deepening partnership. He added that it is these values which India seeks to translate into practical cooperation for global stability, sustainable growth and inclusive prosperity.
Singh emphasised that Indian and EU defence industries must synergise their efforts for larger global good. It complements India’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat while aligning with the EU’s pursuit of strategic autonomy. “The partnership will become a force multiplier by integrating supply chains for building trusted defence ecosystems and future-ready capabilities. India’s defence industry can play a meaningful role in the EU’s ‘ReArm initiative’, especially when EU is seeking to rapidly diversify suppliers and de-risk dependencies,” he said further.
Meanwhile, Kaja Kallas, said that India and EU must work together in the Indian Ocean Region and learn from each other’s best practices through joint exercises. The Raksha Mantri welcomed EU proposal of positioning a Liaison Officer (LO) at the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in Gurugram. The EU LO at IFC-IOR would enhance operational coordination with the Indian Navy in counter-piracy and assessment of the threats in the Indian Ocean Region.
Top officials said the collaboration will extend to joint patrolling of the global oceanic commons. India and European union Naval Task Force (EUNAVFOR) have already done anti-piracy operations in the Red Sea. While India has also joined hands with France, which has significant island territories in the south-western Indian Ocean, in naval exercises.
