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India and the European Union are all set to formalise a wide-ranging Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) at their summit in New Delhi on Tuesday, alongside announcements on the conclusion of talks on an ambitious free trade agreement and a framework to facilitate the mobility of skilled workers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa at the summit, which is expected to outline a shared strategic vision as both sides navigate shifting global trade and security dynamics amid geopolitical uncertainty.
Costa and von der Leyen were the Chief Guests at India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path. An EU military contingent also participated in the parade, a move von der Leyen described as a “powerful symbol” of the deepening security relationship.
“It will culminate tomorrow in the signature of our Security and Defence Partnership,” von der Leyen said, confirming the key outcome of the summit.
India and the EU have been strategic partners since 2004. The proposed SDP would significantly expand defence and security cooperation, with a focus on interoperability, defence industry collaboration and joint responses to emerging threats.
The partnership is expected to open avenues for Indian companies to participate in the EU’s SAFE (Security Action for Europe) programme, a €150-billion financial instrument aimed at strengthening defence readiness across the bloc. At the summit, the two sides are also likely to launch negotiations on a Security of Information Agreement (SOIA), which is expected to facilitate closer industrial defence cooperation.
Another major deliverable will be a memorandum of understanding to ease the mobility of Indian workers to Europe, reflecting efforts to deepen people-to-people and economic links.
According to a draft security and defence partnership accessed by Reuters, the EU and India will explore options for New Delhi’s participation in European defence initiatives. The draft states that both sides will consult on their respective defence programmes, including through exchanges related to the defence industry. It will examine possible Indian participation in EU defence projects where there is shared interest and aligned security priorities, in line with their legal frameworks.
The partnership also proposes an annual EU-India dialogue on security and defence and calls for deeper cooperation in areas such as maritime security, cybersecurity, and counterterrorism. Citing growing global security threats, rising geopolitical tensions, and rapid technological change, the document underscores the need for closer, more structured cooperation.
The agreement comes as Europe seeks to reduce strategic dependence on the United States and China, while strengthening diplomatic, security and economic ties with partners such as India. The SDP is set to be formally signed on Tuesday.
Team BharatShakti
Dr Ravi Shankar has over two decades of experience in communications, print journalism, electronic media, documentary film making and new media.
He makes regular appearances on national television news channels as a commentator and analyst on current and political affairs. Apart from being an acknowledged Journalist, he has been a passionate newsroom manager bringing a wide range of journalistic experience from past associations with India’s leading media conglomerates (Times of India group and India Today group) and had led global news-gathering operations at world’s biggest multimedia news agency- ANI-Reuters. He has covered Parliament extensively over the past several years. Widely traveled, he has covered several summits as part of media delegation accompanying the Indian President, Vice President, Prime Minister, External Affairs Minister and Finance Minister across Asia, Africa and Europe.
