India-EU Security and Defence Pact

India-EU Security and Defence Partnership

Key Events

• A security and defense partnership agreement between India and the European Union (EU) is set to be signed on Republic Day, January 26, 2026.
• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa are attending the 77th Republic Day celebrations as chief guests.

Participants

• Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar hosted the EU leaders.
• The agreement will be signed by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.

Agreement Overview

• The partnership will focus on:
  • Maritime security
  • Cybersecurity
  • Hybrid threats
  • Resilience and protection of critical infrastructure
  • Counter-terrorism
  • Organized crime
  • Cooperation in multilateral forums (e.g., UN, peacekeeping operations)
  • Non-proliferation and disarmament
  • Space security and defense

Strategic Implications

• India becomes the third Asian country, joining Japan and South Korea, to sign a security and defense agreement with the EU.
• The partnership includes annual strategic dialogues and operational mechanisms, aiding in joint initiatives and defense cooperation.
• Negotiations for a Security of Information Agreement will begin to facilitate classified information exchange, thereby signaling enhanced trust.

Historical Context

• This agreement emerges amid a recalibration of US strategic posture towards China, as articulated in the latest US National Defense Strategy.
• Recent joint naval exercises by India and the EU highlight growing military collaboration.

Previous Engagements

• Joint naval exercises in:
  • Indian Ocean (June 2025)
  • Gulf of Guinea (October 2023)
  • Gulf of Aden (June 2021)
• Humanitarian escort operations near Somalia (2018, 2019).

Bilateral Relations

• The strong EU-India partnership encompasses trade, security, and cultural exchanges.
• Aimed to provide political momentum for future engagements and negotiations, particularly related to the EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Significance

• The partnership agreement is set against the backdrop of a shifting global security landscape and underscores the strategic collaboration between India and the EU in addressing mutual challenges, enhancing defense capabilities, and fostering a cooperative approach to security in the Indo-Pacific region.

Future Prospects

• Continued engagement and discussions are anticipated to bolster India-EU relations, reinforcing commitments towards stability, security, and sustainable development in a multifaceted, interconnected world.