India and EU sign Security and Defence Partnership, expanding cooperation on maritime security, cyber and counter-terror
India and the European Union have signed a Security and Defence Partnership on the margins of the EU-India Summit in New Delhi. The pact is designed to structure cooperation across areas such as maritime security, cyber-defence and counterterrorism amid a more volatile global security environment.
A new framework for EU–India security cooperation
The European Union and India signed a Security and Defence Partnership on January 27, 2026, at the EU-India Summit in New Delhi. The EU described the agreement as a comprehensive framework that will guide dialogue and deliver concrete cooperation across multiple domains, including maritime security, cyber, and counterterrorism.
According to the EU’s External Action Service, the pact responds to an increasingly challenging strategic environment and builds on existing sectoral dialogues and consultations between the two sides. It also sits within a broader effort to strengthen the EU–India strategic relationship and move from intent to implementation.
Key focus areas highlighted by the EU
- Maritime security cooperation, including structured exchanges and operational coordination where relevant.
- Cyber-defence collaboration, reflecting rising threats to critical infrastructure and digital systems.
- Counterterrorism coordination and broader security consultations.
- Work in emerging and non-traditional strategic domains such as space security, alongside established defence contacts.
The EU has said the partnership will be implemented through a dedicated annual EU–India Security and Defence Dialogue, supported by thematic consultations. The idea is to create predictable mechanisms for follow-through rather than relying on ad hoc engagement during crises.
Why this matters now
For India, a tighter security conversation with Europe complements its Indo-Pacific focus, especially as maritime routes and supply chains face new risks. For the EU, deeper engagement with India is framed as part of its wider security agenda, particularly in a world where regional conflicts, cyberattacks, and disruptions at sea can rapidly spill across borders.
The signing also signals momentum in the overall EU–India relationship at a time when both sides are trying to reduce strategic vulnerabilities, build resilient supply chains, and align positions on rules-based order and international law.