India and EU seek more military engagements

Hervé Delphin with the Indian delegation of senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Defense led by Muanpuii Saiawi, co-secretary at the Division of Disarmament and International Security Affairs, MEA, and accompanied by the captain of Vessel Fabrizio Falzi, Defense Attaché of the EU Delegation to India, during a three-day study visit to Europe organized by the European Union (EU), on Thursday. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

As part of efforts to expand existing defense cooperation, India and the European Union aim to establish more permanent interactions between staffs, including with military personnel, which will enhance effectiveness joint operation to address challenges at sea, on land and in cyberspace, said EU Ambassador to India Hervé Delphin.

A group of officials from the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA) are in Europe on a three-day study visit, facilitated by the EU delegation to India, to learn more about the mechanisms of security and defense of the EU while exploring potential joint cooperation. Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) and Indo-Pacific missions, the EU Delegation to India and Bhutan said in a statement published on Thursday, September 5, 2024.

“This visit highlights India and the EU’s shared commitment to strengthening security and defense ties. Maritime security is a common concern and a priority objective of cooperation, as demonstrated by the respective operations of the EU Naval Force (NAVFOR) Atalanta and the Indian Navy in the Indian Ocean. Through such visits, we can build deeper mutual understanding, which is essential for advancing cooperation,” said Mr. Delphin.

Regarding EU NAVFOR operations, Mr Delphin said the Indo-Pacific region is a vital hub of strategic importance to both India and the EU due to the growing interdependence of global economies and the importance of maritime supply chains. “We are committed to forging stronger cooperation with India to ensure a free, open, inclusive and rules-based maritime order, address common security challenges and promote peace and stability in the region,” a- he added.

The Indian delegation was led by Muanpuii Saiawi, Joint Secretary of the Disarmament and International Security Affairs Division of the MEA, and accompanied by Captain Fabrizio Falzi, Defense Attaché of the EU Delegation to India.

Stating that EUNAVFOR Atalanta is a key element of CSDP and EU naval diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific region, the communiqué said that India remains one of the most important actors and partners in the cooperation on security and defense, including maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region. Pacific region.

The Indian officials’ mission began with briefings and detailed discussions within the European External Action Service, including the Directorate for Security and Defense Policy, the European Security and Defense College and the military staff of the European Union. Representatives of the European Maritime Safety Agency and FRONTEX also engaged with the Indian delegation to further define possible areas of mutual interest and cooperation between the EU and the Indian Coast Guard.

The visit to the EU Naval Force Operation ATALANTA (EUNAVFOR) headquarters in Rota, Spain, highlighted EU maritime CSDP activities in the Horn of Africa and the Western Indian Ocean, concluding the Indian delegation’s visit with the opportunity to see first-hand the EU’s activities in the field of CSDP. maritime security operations center.

In August 2023, the flagship of EUNAVFOR Atalanta, ITS Durand De La Penne, conducted a joint activity at sea with the destroyer INS Visakhapatnam as part of the EU cooperation strategy in the Indo-Pacific.