New Delhi: In a significant step towards enhancing India-EU defence collaboration, Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth met with European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, in New Delhi on Wednesday. The discussions focused on bolstering bilateral defence cooperation, with a particular emphasis on maritime security and intelligence sharing in the Indo-Pacific region.
Deepening Defence Collaboration
The meeting underscored the expanding defence partnership between India and the European Union, with both sides exploring avenues for:
- Industrial cooperation in defence manufacturing
- Joint ventures and co-production initiatives between European defence firms and Indian counterparts
- India’s possible participation in the EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) framework, which aims to strengthen security and defense collaboration among EU member states
Kubilius’ visit is part of a high-level delegation led by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, accompanied by the College of Commissioners, reinforcing the EU’s commitment to expanding strategic ties with India.
Broader India-EU Engagement
Beyond defense, India and the EU continue to advance their strategic partnership across multiple sectors. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Ursula von der Leyen to discuss ways to deepen bilateral cooperation, highlighting India’s growing role as a key player in global security and economic stability.
Taking to social media platform X, Jaishankar lauded the EU’s vision for strengthening strategic relations, emphasizing the need for sustained ministerial-level engagement to achieve mutual security and trade goals.
India-EU Partnership: A Longstanding Strategic Relationship
India and the European Union have shared a strategic partnership since 2004, marking nearly two decades of deep diplomatic, economic, and security cooperation. In 2022, both sides celebrated 60 years of diplomatic relations, reaffirming their commitment to a comprehensive and future-ready partnership.
Key frameworks guiding their collaboration include:
- EU-India Strategic Partnership Roadmap (2020-2025)
- The EU’s Indo-Pacific Strategy
- The Global Gateway Initiative, which promotes connectivity and infrastructure development
Trade Negotiations and Future Prospects
Trade remains a high priority for both India and the EU. Since 2022, the two sides have been engaged in Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, aiming to boost bilateral trade and investment. The next round of discussions is scheduled to take place in Brussels from March 10-14, 2025.
During an address at a leading think tank, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to finalizing the trade deal, describing it as “the largest of its kind”.
“We know it will not be easy, but we are determined. This partnership comes at the right moment for both of us, and we are pushing to get it done this year,” she stated.
As India and the European Union deepen their collaboration in defense, trade, and technology, this high-level engagement highlights India’s pivotal role in global security and economic frameworks. With negotiations ongoing in multiple areas, the India-EU partnership is poised for further expansion, ensuring greater stability and economic progress for both entities in the years to come.
