The European Union and India signed a Security and Defence Partnership on 27 January 2026 on the sidelines of the EU-India Summit. Signed by European Union High Representative and Vice President Kaja Kallas and India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. This agreement will provide a framework to help guide dialogue and cooperation on peace, security and defence, reflecting both sides’ commitment to addressing emerging security challenges and promoting a rules-based international order with the United Nations at its core.
Expanding Cooperation Across Traditional and Emerging Security Domains
In response to an increasing number of geopolitical tensions and a rapidly changing global security landscape, the Security and Defence Partnership has been created to provide bases for structured cooperation across many areas of mutual concern including but not limited to maritime security, cyber issues, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, hybrid threats, resilience and protection of critical infrastructure, counter-terrorism, prevention of violent extremism, organised crime, information sharing, multilateral coordination, non-proliferation and disarmament, space security, defence initiatives, international peace and security, training and education, consular matters, and women, peace and security.
The Partnership builds on existing mechanisms for co-operation between the participating partners. An example of this cooperation is the activity in which India has been engaged as part of joint maritime operations undertaken by the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) in support of counter-piracy operations which occurred on 15 June 2025. India continues to participate in activities associated with the European Union’s programme for Enhancing Security Cooperation in and with Asia and the Indo-Pacific (ESIWA+) as well as other activities such as the conduct of annual Security and Defence Consultations and the launch of the EU-India Strategic Dialogue on Foreign and Security Policy which occurred in June 2025. Additional separate sectoral dialogues are conducted each year by both parties in relation to specific areas of security and defence, including maritime security, cybersecurity, counter-terrorism and non-proliferation, all of which will continue to support ongoing collaboration.
The Partnership will be supported through an annual EU-India Security and Defence Dialogue and will also establish consultation and exchange processes along with the other activities outlined above to support effective implementation.
Key Takeaway: The EU-India Security and Defence Partnership establishes a formal framework for deeper collaboration on security and defence issues. By expanding cooperation across traditional and emerging strategic domains, the agreement aims to strengthen bilateral ties, enhance regional stability, and support a coordinated response to global security challenges.
MCQ:
MCQ Question 1:
The EU-India Security and Defence Partnership was signed by India’s External Affairs Minister and which EU official?
A. Ursula von der Leyen
B. António Costa
C. Kaja Kallas
D. Roberta Metsola
MCQ Question 2:
Which of the following areas is covered under the EU-India Security and Defence Partnership?
A. Maritime Security
B. Cybersecurity
C. Counter-terrorism
D. All of the above
