Russia’s war against Ukraine, as well as developments in South Asia and in the Middle East, were on the agenda of discussions of the European Union and India’s second round of consultations on security and defence in New Delhi. The high-level deliberations served as a platform for an extensive exchange of perspectives and assessments on pertinent international and regional issues.
Significantly, the consultations which took place on May 6, 2024 provided an opportune moment to review the progress and future trajectory of security and defence policy frameworks. The European Union outlined advancements in the implementation of its Strategic Compass and the Indo-Pacific Strategy, accentuating the significance of synergistic approaches towards common security objectives. Noteworthy mentions included the European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS) and the initiation of new EU operations, notably the EUNAVFOR Aspides.
In alignment with their commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation, the EU and India affirmed their intent to bolster collaboration across various domains. Emphasis was placed on augmenting joint efforts in cyber defence, maritime security, and crisis management. Leveraging the platform provided by the EU project Enhancing Cooperation in and with Asia (ESIWA), both parties pledged to maximize opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Additionally, the consultations underscored a mutual recognition of the evolving security landscape, prompting a collective resolve to explore new avenues of cooperation. Space security emerged as a promising frontier, reflecting the shared aspiration to harness emerging technologies for the preservation of peace and security.
The co-chairing of the consultations by Joanneke Balfoort, Director for Security and Defence Policy of the European External Action Service, and Vishwesh Negi, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) of India’s Ministry of Defence, exemplified the spirit of collaboration and shared responsibility in navigating complex security challenges.
As the global security architecture continues to evolve, the EU-India consultations serve as a beacon of proactive engagement and collaborative action, reaffirming the enduring partnership between two strategic allies committed to advancing peace and stability on the global stage.