The European Union (EU) and India have found common ground in the Indo-Pacific region, cementing their commitment to security and defense cooperation. Recent initiatives and dialogues highlight the growing importance of this partnership in addressing common security challenges, particularly in the maritime domain.
The “Road to Schuman” event, organized by the Delegation of the European Union to India on May 6, 2024, was a pivotal moment for stakeholders to converge and discuss the security environment in India. Peaceful. The event was titled “The Security Environment in the Indo-Pacific Region and the EU’s Role as a Security Actor in Partnership/Cooperation with India”.
Joanneke Balfoort, Director of Security and Defense Policy at the European External Action Service, highlighted the crucial nature of partnerships for maintaining global peace and security. She underlined the strategic importance of India as a key partner of the EU in navigating the complexities of the Indo-Pacific region.
“We consider India, a country with considerable strategic weight in the global security balance, as a key partner of the EU in the Indo-Pacific region. »
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Echoing similar sentiments, Hervé Delphin, EU Ambassador to India, highlighted the urgent need for collaboration in the face of growing security threats around the world. The EU’s commitment to strengthening its security and defense capabilities aligns with its efforts to work with international partners, including India, to promote stability and resilience.
“The global environment has become more volatile and unstable with increasing war and security threats. The EU is adapting to this new reality by strengthening its own security and defense, but also by working with its international partners to address common security challenges in order to promote peace and stability. The growing interconnection between dynamics in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region means that cooperation with Asian partners, and particularly with India, has become more important than ever,” said Hervé Delphin, Ambassador of the EU in India.
The seminar provided a platform for experts from both regions to exchange ideas on regional security dynamics and explore avenues for enhanced cooperation.
Maritime security emerged as a central point of discussions, with the EU presenting initiatives such as Operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES in the Red Sea as tangible examples of its commitment to regional stability. Although progress has been made in areas such as maritime security, counter-terrorism and cyber defense, there remains untapped potential for collaboration in emerging security areas such as space and cyber defense. artificial intelligence.
Schuman Forum on Security and Defense
Looking ahead, the second edition of the Schuman Forum on Security and Defense, scheduled for 28-29 May in Brussels, provides an opportunity to deepen security cooperation between the EU and India. Bringing together policymakers, experts and stakeholders, the forum will facilitate dialogue on responding to common security threats and building a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region. India’s participation underlines its central role in the EU’s strategic calculus.
EU-India consultations on security and defense
Recent EU-India security and defense consultations have reaffirmed both sides’ commitment to maintaining a free, open and inclusive maritime order in the Indo-Pacific. Highlighting the principles of democracy, the rule of law and respect for international standards, the consultations laid the foundations for deeper collaboration in safeguarding common interests.
The EU’s Indo-Pacific Strategy and the Global Gateway initiative underline its long-term commitment to the region’s stability and prosperity. By acting as a “smart enabler” for peace and security, the EU seeks to foster partnerships with regional actors, with India playing a central role in this endeavour.
In conclusion, the merging of EU and Indian interests in the Indo-Pacific region reflects a shared commitment to shaping a more secure and prosperous future. As both regions face complex security challenges, collaboration and dialogue will remain essential. By leveraging their respective strengths and fostering greater cooperation, the EU and India can significantly contribute to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
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