EU and India sign Security and Defence Partnership, expanding cooperation on maritime security, cyber and counter-terrorism

The European Union and India on 27 January 2026 signed a Security and Defence Partnership on the margins of the EU-India Summit, in a move aimed at deepening strategic cooperation amid a more challenging global security environment. The partnership was signed by EU High Representative/Vice President Kaja Kallas and India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar, the EU’s diplomatic service said.

According to the EU, the partnership creates a comprehensive framework that will structure the EU-India dialogue and cooperation on security and defence and deliver concrete results. The areas highlighted include maritime security, cyber, and counter-terrorism, along with broader cooperation on peace, security and defence initiatives.

The EU said the agreement builds on long-standing cooperation between the two sides and is intended to define the level of strategic ambition for the relationship going forward. By creating a formalised framework, officials expect more regular engagement and clearer pathways for collaboration, including coordination where both sides’ interests align, and practical cooperation in priority theatres and domains.

The signing also signals a push for stronger institutional links between New Delhi and Brussels on security issues that increasingly overlap with economic and technology policy—particularly in areas such as cyber resilience, maritime domain awareness and countering terrorism. Further implementation details and follow-up engagements are expected as the framework is translated into specific working-level initiatives and deliverables.