NEW DELHI: India and the European Union (EU) agreed on Friday to work on a security and defense partnership on Friday to jointly counter common threats and, in an eye on China, focused on means of ensuring a free, open and peaceful Indo-Pacific based on international law and respect for sovereignty.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said that they “explore a security and defense partnership” even though the two parties attack traditional and non -traditional threats to protect trade and communication channels, according to a joint declaration by managers published after their discussions.
Security and defense cooperation was among the three intervention areas of Von Der Leyen’s visit to India, the others being commercial and investment and connectivity initiatives. Von der Leyen went to India with 22 of the 27 members of the college of EU commissioners, highlighting the European Bloc efforts to accelerate links with India in the midst of uncertainty created by Donald Trump administration policies in the United States.
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Modi and Von Der Leyen expressed their satisfaction with the growth of cooperation in India-EU in defense and security, including joint military exercises and collaboration between the Indian navy and the EU maritime security entities, and reiterated their commitment to global security, in particular maritime security, said the Declaration of Managers.
“They underlined the need to deepen collaboration in counter-terrorism and to strengthen international cooperation to combat terrorism, including cross-border terrorism and the financing of terrorism in a complete and sustained manner,” the statement said.
The EU has welcomed the interest of India to join industrial defense projects within the framework of the permanent structured cooperation initiative of the block (PESCO) and to engage in negotiations for an information security agreement, which should facilitate the exchange of information on sensitive and defense technologies.
“Our growing cooperation on defense and security issues is a symbol of our mutual trust. We will advance our cooperation on cybersecurity, maritime security and the fight against terrorism, “said Modi during a media interaction with Von Der Leyen.
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“The two parties agree on the importance of peace, security, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. We welcome the EU’s decision to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans initiative. We will work together on triangular development projects for sustainable and inclusive development in the Indo-Pacific region and Africa, “he added.
Von der Leyen said that Europe considers India to be “a pillar of certainty in an increasingly uncertain world” at a time when “authoritarian states become more daring, ignoring borders and threatening peace at sea”. She added: “It is now time to intensify our cooperation in terms of security and defense on land, in sea and in space.”
She described the Indian Ocean as a “rescue buoy for world trade” and said: “Ensure that her security is vital, not only for India but for the whole world”. The two parties should extend the joint naval exercises and deepen cooperation in the protection of submarine cables for data connectivity.
Von der Leyen has also listed the possibility of cooperation in military equipment. “India seeks to diversify its military supply and its access to new capacities, just like Europe. Thus, India and the EU can be partners on this subject, ”she said.
The declaration of leaders said that the two parties will endeavor to promote a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific “based on international law and mutual respect for sovereignty and peaceful resolution of disputes supported by effective regional institutions”.
While the declaration made no reference to China, those responsible for both parties recognized in private the shared concerns concerning the increasingly assertive actions of Beijing through Indo-Pacific, in particular in the Southern China Sea, and the need for joint efforts to protect maritime trade routes.
Von Der Leyen announced the security and defense partnership project while delivering a speech during an event organized by India’s World magazine, and said that it would rely on work already carried out by both parties in areas such as maritime security. The partnership with India is said to be similar to EU initiative with Japan and South Korea.
It 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 on our critical infrastructure,” said Von Der Leyen.
“It is not only a question of 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 said.
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. 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 intended 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 Region of the Information Information Fusion in the Ocean Region (IFC-OIO), which plays an essential role in regional.
During his speech, Von der Leyen also increased the impact of conflicts in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Despite the geographic distance between Europe and India, she warned that the benefits of the Russian-Ukraine conflict can 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.
The Declaration of Managers said that the situation in Western Asia and the Ukraine War were among the international issues discussed by Modi and Von Der Leyen.
“They expressed their support for a fair and lasting peace in Ukraine according to respect for international law, the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and territorial integrity and sovereignty. They also reiterated their commitment to the vision of the two -state solution with Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security in recognized borders, in accordance with international law, “said the press release.
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