Security and Defence: EU and India sign security & defence partnership

On 27 January 2026, the European Union and India signed a Security and Defence Partnership on the margins of the EU-India Summit. Signed by High Representative/Vice President (HR/VP) Kaja Kallas, and [insert name of Indian representative), the Security and Defence Partnership marks a new chapter in the strategic relationship between the EU and India.

The Security and Defence Partnership responds to an increasingly challenging strategic environment and builds on long standing security and defence cooperation between India and the EU. It establishes a comprehensive framework that defines the EU and India's level of strategic ambition and will structure their cooperation on peace, security and defence.

"The EU and India maintain a long-standing strategic partnership. With today's signing of a new Security and Defence Partnership, we are entering a new phase of EU-India relations. It will expand our cooperation in areas such as maritime security, counterterrorism, and cyber-defence. The EU and India see the world changing in similar ways and are responding together. Security is now a core part of our relationship." - HR/VP Kaja Kallas

The EU-India Security and Defence Partnership comes at a time of heightened global instability and geopolitical tensions. It reflects the need for international partners to work closely together to address shared security challenges, including in non-traditional strategic domains like cyber, maritime and space.

The Security and Defence Partnership reflects both sides' commitment to promoting a stable, rules-based international order with the UN at its core.

Key areas of cooperation

The Security and Defence Partnership expands cooperation in a wide range of areas.

• Maritime security
• Cyber issues
• Artificial intelligence and emerging and disruptive technologies
• Hybrid threats
• Resilience and the protection of critical infrastructure
• Counterterrorism and preventing violent extremism
• External aspects of fighting organised crime
• Situational awareness and exchanges of information
• Multilateral coordination
• Non-proliferation and disarmament
• Space security and defence
• Capacity building for partners in security and defence
• Defence initiatives, including defence industry-related matters
• 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 different dialogues on security and defence matters. India has recently participated in joint maritime activities with EU naval forces (EUNAVFOR) focused on counter-piracy efforts (June 2025) and continues to engage with the EU project 'Enhancing Security Cooperation in and with Asia and the Indo-Pacific' (ESIWA+).

The EU and India also have annual Security and Defence Consultations and launched a Strategic Dialogue on Foreign and Security Policy in June 2025. Both sides continue to participate in dedicated sectoral dialogues in areas such as maritime security, cyber security, counterterrorism and non-proliferation.

The Security and Defence Partnership builds on this established cooperation and provides a structured framework to develop it further. It will constitute an integral part of the new and further strengthened Joint EU-India Comprehensive Strategic Agenda.

A way forward

The new Security and Defence Partnership will be implemented through a dedicated annual EU-India Security and Defence Dialogue, supported by thematic exchanges and consultations on shared challenges and threats. The content of the Partnership will be reviewed as appropriate to assess progress, steer cooperation and effectively respond to global challenges.