India, EU sign new security and defence partnership

India and EU have signed a new pact for security and defence partnership that will pave the way for cooperation in the maritime domain, increased engagements in the Indo-Pacific and lead to stronger engagement by the Indian defence industry in the European market.

The two sides have also decided to set up an industry-led India-EU Defence Industry Forum, with official participation as observers and associating EU member states, as reported by ET.

The forum will drive industrial partnership and explore opportunities in both markets. A dedicated annual EU-India Security and Defence Dialogue has also been announced.


Following the pact, defence minister Rajnath Singh said the Indian defence industry can play a meaningful role in the EU's 'ReArm initiative', at a time when it is looking to diversify suppliers and de-risk dependencies.

At a meeting with the High Representative of the European Union Commission Kaja Kallas, the minister said the partnership will become a force multiplier by integrating supply chains for building trusted defence ecosystems and future-ready capabilities.