Addressing the EU delegation led by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas at Raksha Mantralaya, Southern Block, Singh welcomed the visit of the EU leaders, highlighting its special importance as it coincides with India’s 75th Republic Day.
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“Thank you for your visit to India, your visit is very special as it falls on the occasion of our 75th Republic Day. This occasion marks an important milestone in celebrating India’s constitutional journey and reaffirming our commitment to global peace and security,” Singh said.
He added that shared values of democracy, pluralism, federalism and the rule of law form the foundation of the growing partnership between India and the European Union.
“Together, we aim to translate these shared values into practical cooperation for global security, sustainable growth and inclusive prosperity,” Singh said.
The Defense Minister highlighted that the partnership reflects the trust between India and the EU and will strengthen cooperation in the areas of economy, defense and people-to-people ties, thereby bringing the two ancient civilizations closer together in a rapidly changing world.Read also: Europe’s cracks finally give India the long-awaited opening
“The signing of the India-EU Technology and Defense Partnership is a reflection of this confidence in action, and it brings us closer together in an increasingly complex global environment. I hope that the increased momentum of the India-EU partnership in economics, defense and people-to-people connection will bring the two ancient civilizations much closer together,” he added.
The technology and defense partnership was signed ahead of the 16th India-EU Summit, co-chaired by European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who are on a state visit to India.
India now joins Japan and South Korea as the third Asian country to have such a security and defense partnership with the EU, aimed at strengthening collaboration in maritime security, cybersecurity, counter-terrorism and other emerging defense areas. The new agreement does not limit India’s engagement with the EU to procurement alone, with the EU now viewing India as a potential supplier in certain areas and as a partner.
India-EU security and defense ties deepened significantly in 2025, marked by the Leaders’ Statement from the College of Commissioners’ visit to India in February, which agreed to explore a security and defense partnership and included discussions between the European Commissioner for Defense and Space and India’s Minister of State for Defence.
This momentum continued with the visit of a delegation from the Society of Indian Defense Manufacturers in December 2025 to Brussels to engage with the European Commissioner and promote industrial cooperation. In September 2025, the EU Political and Security Committee – representing all 27 member states – made its first-ever visit to Asia, holding high-level meetings in India with the Foreign Minister, Deputy NSA and Secretary (West) to advance the strategic dialogue.
Complementing these efforts, joint naval exercises have strengthened maritime security cooperation, including in the Indian Ocean in June 2025, the Gulf of Guinea in October 2023 and the Gulf of Aden in June 2021, as well as collaborative escort operations for humanitarian assistance near Somalia in 2018 and 2019.
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