India and the European Union have finalized a comprehensive security and defence partnership agreement, poised for signing on Tuesday in New Delhi. This landmark pact will elevate India to become the third country in Asia to establish such a strategic alliance with the EU, following Japan and South Korea.
High-Profile Visit and Republic Day Celebrations
The agreement comes amid a high-profile visit by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa, who arrived in New Delhi over the weekend. They were accorded ceremonial welcomes and a Guard of Honour, marking the start of their significant trip to India. Both leaders are set to attend the 77th Republic Day celebrations as chief guests, underscoring the deepening ties between India and the EU.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with the EU leaders on Sunday evening, expressing his delight in welcoming them. In a social media post, he highlighted the privilege of having them as chief guests and expressed confidence that their upcoming discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi would herald a new chapter in India-EU relations.
Leaders' Statements on Strategic Partnership
Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the strategic choice of partnership between India and Europe, stating, "I’m so glad to be in India today. India and Europe have made a clear choice. The choice of strategic partnership, dialogue and openness. Leveraging our complementary strengths. And building mutual resilience. We are showing a fractured world that another way is possible."
António Costa echoed this sentiment, noting his honor in arriving for the 16th EU-India Summit on the eve of Republic Day. He celebrated the strong and growing partnership, spanning from trade and security to clean transitions and people-to-people connections.
Key Areas of Cooperation in the Pact
The security and defence partnership agreement will be signed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. It encompasses a wide range of collaborative efforts, including:
- Maritime security initiatives
- Cybersecurity and hybrid threats
- Resilience and protection of critical infrastructure
- Counter-terrorism and organized crime
- Cooperation in multilateral forums like the United Nations
- Peacekeeping operations, non-proliferation, and disarmament
- Space security and defence
This agreement aims to facilitate joint initiatives and enhance defence cooperation, with India potentially participating in EU defence programs. It includes annual strategic dialogues and operational mechanisms led by senior officials at the level of Defence and Home Secretaries.
Broader Implications and Negotiations
In addition to the partnership, India and the EU will commence negotiations on a Security of Information Agreement. This will enable broader exchange of classified information, signaling increased trust between the two entities. This step is particularly significant as some EU member states, especially in Eastern Europe and the Baltics, have expressed concerns over India's stance on Russia amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
India already maintains bilateral security of information pacts with France and Germany, and this new agreement with the EU as a whole marks a pivotal expansion of trust-based collaborations.
Strategic Timing and Historical Context
The partnership is being forged at a critical juncture, as the United States' National Defence Strategy and National Security Strategy appear to be shifting focus towards the Western Hemisphere, potentially softening its commitment to the Indo-Pacific region. This development underscores the growing importance of India-EU ties in maintaining regional stability and security.
Officials note that the leaders' statement following the EU College of Commissioners' visit to India in February 2025 had agreed to explore such a security and defence partnership. Subsequent engagements, including discussions with the EU Commissioner for Defence and Space and visits by Indian defence manufacturers to Brussels, have paved the way for this agreement.
Earlier interactions, such as the visit by the EU Political and Security Committee in September 2025 and joint naval exercises in the Indian Ocean, Gulf of Guinea, and Gulf of Aden, have further solidified the foundation for this enhanced partnership. These exercises and cooperative efforts in humanitarian missions near Somalia highlight the practical collaboration already underway between India and the EU.
As India and the EU step up their cooperation, this security and defence partnership, alongside ongoing Free Trade Agreement negotiations, represents a major outcome of the EU leaders' visit. It is set to inject significant political momentum into the bilateral relationship, fostering a new era of strategic alignment and mutual resilience in an increasingly complex global landscape.
