India and EU sign security and defence partnership, setting framework for deeper cooperation
India and the European Union signed a Security and Defence Partnership on 27 January 2026 at the EU-India Summit. The pact creates a structured framework for cooperation across maritime security, cyber threats and counter-terrorism, marking a new chapter in the strategic relationship.
- Reporting desk
- Health India Network News Desk
- First published
India and the European Union on 27 January 2026 signed a Security and Defence Partnership on the margins of the EU-India Summit, formalising an expanded agenda for cooperation on peace, security and defence. The partnership was signed by EU High Representative/Vice President Kaja Kallas and India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
The EU’s External Action Service said the agreement establishes a comprehensive framework to structure dialogue and deliver outcomes in areas such as maritime security, cyber cooperation and counter-terrorism. The move comes amid a more challenging strategic environment and builds on existing security and defence engagement between the two sides.
Officials indicated that the partnership is meant to give continuity to working-level cooperation by aligning priorities, setting mechanisms for regular consultations and expanding practical collaboration. Maritime security is expected to remain central, given shared interests in open sea lanes, regional stability and rules-based navigation.
Cyber security and resilience against hybrid threats are another focus area, with policymakers increasingly concerned about the speed and scale of malicious cyber activity against critical infrastructure, supply chains and government systems. By creating a formalised track, the pact aims to move beyond ad hoc coordination towards more predictable planning and joint work.
Counter-terrorism cooperation is also highlighted in the framework, reflecting shared concerns about extremism, cross-border networks and financing. The partnership is expected to support information exchanges, capacity-building and closer alignment in multilateral forums where security norms and standards are negotiated.
The agreement is likely to be read alongside broader India-EU efforts to widen strategic engagement, including on emerging technologies, space and defence industrial collaboration. Diplomats on both sides have described the relationship as moving towards a more operational, outcomes-driven partnership in the coming years.