India and the European Union (EU) work on a security and defense partnership which will allow the two parties to jointly attack common threats such as cross -border terrorism and attacks on critical infrastructure, the president of the European Commission, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen on Friday.
The proposed partnership will be based on the work already carried out by both parties in fields such as maritime security and could open the way to India to join the industrial defense projects of the EU and diversify its military supplies, said Von Der Leyen during the delivery of a speech during an event organized by the world of India magazine.
The two parties, she announced, “explore a future security and defense partnership … in the partnership mold that we have with Japan and South Korea”. The partnership will strengthen joint efforts to counter common threats such as “cross -border terrorism, maritime security threats, cyber attacks or the new phenomenon we see: attacks against our critical infrastructure”.
Von der Leyen said: “It is not only stability in our respective regions. But it is also a key element to strengthen our economic security and ultimately our prosperity. And that is why security should be part of our new strategic partnership with India. »»
She added: “There are many things we can build on. For example, the recent collaboration on maritime security. »»
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India and the EU carried out their first joint naval exercise in the Gulf of Guinea in October 2023, and this was followed a month later by the publication of the first military attaché to the EU mission to New Delhi, reflecting the intensification of defense and security links. The EU currently has military attachés in less than 15 countries.
In February 2022, the EU launched a coordinated maritime presence in the northwest of the Indian Ocean to ensure a European naval presence in Indo-Pacific. In addition to the regular maritime security dialogues, a joint team from the Armed Forces of India and the Ministry of External Affairs went for the first time in Brussels in 2024 for interviews on security issues.
Before the visit of Von der Leyen, the two parties worked on other constituent elements to intensify defense and cooperation in terms of security. This includes a new strategic dialogue on foreign policy issues, the elevation of security and defense is spent at the level of the Secretary of Defense, a closer collaboration on internal security issues and the publication of an EU liaison officer to the information Region of information information in the Ocean Region (IFC-OIO), which plays an essential role in regional.
Von Der Leyen also said that India had expressed interest in joining industrial defense projects under permanent structured cooperation of the EU. “India is working hard to diversify its military supply and to access new capacities. And I think we can help each other achieve our security goals, ”she said.
The two parties, she said, can unite their forces where they each have technology and expertise, such as cybersecurity, drones and space.
While listing cooperation in terms of security and stability among the three essential pillars of India-UE relations, Von der Leyen has also increased the impact of conflicts in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Despite the geographic distance between Europe and India, she said that the benefits of the Russian-Ukraine conflict could have an impact on other parts of the world.
“In Europe, Russia’s goal is to tear Ukraine. And we have to be clear about what is at stake here. A failed Ukraine not only would weaken Europe … But a failed Ukraine would also intensify challenges in other parts of the world. Especially in this region, ”she said, in a look at China.
“Other countries around the world are looking closely, if there is impunity if you invade a neighbor or violate international borders. Or if there are real deterrents, “she said.
Calling discussions that have led to a fair and lasting peace and a “free and prosperous Ukraine who can join the European family”, Von Der Leyen said: “We will intensify our defense expenses to guarantee that Member States have access to all the capacities that this new reality requires. But we also want to intensify cooperation with crucial partners such as India. »»
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