The partnership establishes a comprehensive framework that will structure dialogue and cooperation between the EU and India on security and defense, and deliver concrete results in areas such as maritime security, cybersecurity and the fight against terrorism.
On January 27, 2026, the European Union and India signed a security and defense partnership on the sidelines of the EU-India summit. Signed by High Representative/Vice-President (HR/VP) Kaja Kallas and Dr S. Jaishankar, Indian Foreign Minister, the Security and Defense Partnership opens a new chapter in the strategic relationship between the EU and India.
The Security and Defense Partnership responds to an increasingly challenging strategic environment and builds on long-standing security and defense cooperation between India and the EU. It establishes a global framework that defines the level of strategic ambition of the EU and India and will structure their cooperation in peace, security and defense.
“The EU and India have a long-standing strategic partnership. With today’s signing of a new Security and Defense Partnership, we are entering a new phase in EU-India relations. This will expand our cooperation in areas such as maritime security, counter-terrorism and cyber defence. The EU and India see the world changing in the same way and are responding together. Security is now an essential part of our relationship.” – HR/VP Kaja Kallas
A dynamic and future-oriented framework
The EU-India security and defense partnership comes at a time of global instability and heightened geopolitical tensions. This reflects the need for international partners to work closely to address common security challenges, including in non-traditional strategic areas such as cyber, maritime and space.
The Security and Defense Partnership reflects the commitment of both parties to promoting a stable, rules-based international order centered on the UN.
Key areas of cooperation
The Security and Defense Partnership expands cooperation in a wide range of areas.
- Maritime safety
- Cybersecurity issues
- Artificial intelligence and emerging and disruptive technologies
- Hybrid threats
- Resilience and protection of critical infrastructure
- Counter-terrorism and prevention of violent extremism
- External aspects of the fight against organized crime
- Situational awareness and information exchange
- Multilateral coordination
- Non-proliferation and disarmament
- Space security and defense
- Strengthening partner capacities in security and defense
- Defense initiatives, including defense industry issues
- International peace and security
- Training and education
- Consular matters
- Women, peace and security.
Building on established cooperation
The EU and India have established cooperation and various dialogues on security and defense issues. India recently participated in joint maritime activities with EU Naval Forces (EUNAVFOR) focused on counter-piracy efforts (June 2025) and continues to participate in the EU project “Strengthening Security Cooperation in and with Asia and the Indo-Pacific” (ESIWA+).
The EU and India also hold annual consultations on security and defense and launched a strategic dialogue on foreign and security policy in June 2025. Both sides continue to participate in specific sectoral dialogues in areas such as maritime security, cybersecurity, counter-terrorism and non-proliferation.
The Security and Defense Partnership builds on this established cooperation and provides a structured framework to develop it further. It will be an integral part of the new, further strengthened, joint EU-India global strategic programme.
A way forward
The new Security and Defense Partnership will be implemented through a specific annual security and defense dialogue between the EU and India, supported by thematic exchanges and consultations on common challenges and threats. The content of the Partnership will be revised as necessary to assess progress, guide cooperation and respond effectively to global challenges.
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