India and the European Union became strategic partners in 2004. Twenty-one years later, at the 16th EU-India Summit on January 27, 2026, they signed a Security and Defence Partnership that makes India the third Asian country—after Japan and South Korea—to gain formal access to European defence initiatives. The two sides also concluded negotiations on a historic free trade agreement covering 2 billion people and representing a combined market of $27 trillion. Once the FTA completes legal vetting and enters force in 2027, Indian firms will be able to participate in the EU's €150 billion SAFE rearmament programme.
The partnership marks a structural shift in how both sides approach security cooperation. For the EU, it extends the bloc's security architecture deeper into the Indo-Pacific at a moment when the transatlantic alliance faces uncertainty under President Trump's renewed tariff threats. For India, it offers an alternative to its traditional reliance on Russian military equipment and opens doors to joint development with European defence manufacturers. EU naval forces marched in India's Republic Day parade for the first time—a symbolic marker of operational ties that now include joint exercises, intelligence sharing, and counter-piracy coordination across the Indian Ocean. The agreements position both partners to reduce strategic dependencies amid global trade volatility.
Images from Openverse under Creative Commons licenses.
Videos from YouTube.
Interactive
Exploring all sides of a story is often best achieved with
Play.
Eleanor Roosevelt
(1884-1962) ·Progressive Era · politics
Fictional AI pastiche — not real quote.
"It is heartening to see nations bind themselves not through dominance but through mutual interest in their own defense—though one cannot help but notice that even in an age of democratic partnerships, the language remains that of armament and preparation for conflict. Perhaps true security would emerge if we devoted equal energy to addressing the conditions that make people desperate enough to threaten peace in the first place."
0% found this insightful
Thomas Paine
(1737-1809) ·Revolutionary · politics
Fictional AI pastiche — not real quote.
"Behold how trade and mutual interest forge alliances swifter than any king's decree! When nations bind themselves through commerce and common defense against tyranny, they render obsolete the old world's reliance upon single despots—whether crowned in Moscow or enthroned elsewhere. Let this partnership stand as proof that liberty finds strength not in subservience to old masters, but in the free association of free peoples."
0% found this insightful
Ever wondered what historical figures would say about today's headlines?
Sign up to generate historical perspectives on this story.
Political and economic union of 27 European member states pursuing common foreign and security policy.
EU
EU Naval Force Atalanta
Naval Operation
Status: Active counter-piracy operation since 2008
First EU naval operation, conducting counter-piracy missions off the Horn of Africa and in the Western Indian Ocean.
EU
EU Naval Force Aspides
Naval Operation
Status: Active Red Sea protection mission
EU defensive naval mission protecting merchant vessels from Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.
Timeline
US Treasury Secretary Criticizes EU-India Deal
Diplomacy
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent publicly condemned the EU-India trade agreement, accusing Europe of 'financing a war against themselves' by agreeing to trade with India while India purchases Russian oil. Bessent stated the EU 'put trade ahead of the Ukrainian people' and revealed that Europe declined to join US tariffs on India because of the pending trade deal.
Security and Defence Partnership Signed
Agreement
At the 16th India-EU Summit, High Representative Kaja Kallas and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh signed the Security and Defence Partnership, making India the third Asian country to conclude such an agreement with the EU.
FTA Negotiations Concluded
Trade
India and EU concluded negotiations on free trade agreement after 19 years of intermittent talks. The agreement awaits 5-6 months of legal vetting before formal signing later in 2026.
Joint Strategic Agenda to 2030 Adopted
Agreement
Leaders adopted 'Towards 2030: A Joint India-European Union Comprehensive Strategic Agenda' providing five-year framework for cooperation on trade, security, technology, and clean energy.
13 Bilateral Agreements Signed
Agreement
India and EU signed 13 agreements covering mobility framework, disaster management cooperation, renewed science and technology cooperation (2025-2030), Green Hydrogen Task Force, and four trilateral development projects in Africa and Indo-Pacific.
Security of Information Agreement Negotiations Launched
Diplomacy
India and EU launched negotiations on a Security of Information Agreement to facilitate exchange of classified information and enhance defence collaboration, enabling technology transfers under the Security and Defence Partnership.
EU Military Contingent Marches in Republic Day Parade
Symbolic
For the first time, a European Union military contingent participated in India's Republic Day parade, carrying flags of EU Naval Forces Atalanta and Aspides alongside EU and EU Military Staff flags.
EU Parliament Approves Defence Partnership
Policy
High Representative Kaja Kallas announced in the European Parliament that the EU agreed to proceed with signing a Security and Defence Partnership with India.
EU Endorses New Strategic India Agenda
Policy
The Council of the EU endorsed the strategic EU-India agenda with the objective of further developing ties across trade, security, and technology.
EU Political and Security Committee Visits India
Diplomacy
Representatives of all 27 EU member states made the Committee's first-ever visit to Asia, meeting Indian officials to advance strategic dialogue.
First EU-India Joint Naval Exercise
Military
EU Naval Force Atalanta and the Indian Navy conducted complex counter-piracy exercises in the Indian Ocean, the first such joint drills between the forces.
EU SAFE Programme Enters Force
Policy
The Security Action for Europe instrument, providing €150 billion in defence loans to member states and eligible partners, became operational.
EU College of Commissioners Visits India
Diplomacy
President von der Leyen led the first-ever College of Commissioners visit to a bilateral partner outside Europe, agreeing to explore a Security and Defence Partnership.
EU Signs Defence Partnership with South Korea
Agreement
Days after the Japan agreement, the EU concluded a Security and Defence Partnership with South Korea, its second in Asia.
EU Signs Defence Partnership with Japan
Agreement
The EU and Japan signed a Security and Defence Partnership—the first such agreement with an Indo-Pacific country—covering joint drills and defence industry cooperation.
FTA Negotiations Relaunched
Trade
After a nine-year pause, India and the EU resumed free trade agreement negotiations at the 15th Summit.
FTA Negotiations Suspended
Trade
Talks stalled due to gaps in ambition over market access, intellectual property, and services.
Free Trade Agreement Negotiations Launched
Trade
India and the EU began formal negotiations for a comprehensive free trade agreement at their 8th Summit.
India-EU Strategic Partnership Established
Agreement
At the 5th Summit in The Hague, India and the EU upgraded their relationship to a Strategic Partnership, committing to deeper political and economic cooperation.
First India-EU Summit in Lisbon
Diplomacy
India and the European Union held their first summit in Portugal, establishing annual high-level dialogues on political and economic matters.
Scenarios
1
India Joins EU Defence Production, Reduces Russian Dependence
Discussed by: European defence industry analysts, India Strategic, EU-India Trade Council
Indian defence manufacturers participate in SAFE-funded joint procurement with EU partners, gradually shifting India's equipment base away from Russian systems. The Security of Information Agreement enables classified technology transfers. Joint production of naval vessels, drones, or air defence systems begins within three years.
2
Partnership Stalls Over Strategic Autonomy Concerns
Discussed by: EU Institute for Security Studies, Brookings Institution
India's commitment to 'multi-alignment' creates friction when the EU seeks more explicit positioning on China or Russia. Divergent threat perceptions—the EU focused on Russia, India on China—limit operational cooperation. The partnership remains largely symbolic, with minimal joint exercises or procurement.
3
Indo-Pacific Security Architecture Coalesces
Discussed by: Atlantic Council, European External Action Service, Council on Foreign Relations
The EU's Security and Defence Partnerships with Japan, South Korea, and India evolve into a coordinated Indo-Pacific security framework. Regular trilateral or quadrilateral maritime exercises become routine. The EU establishes a permanent naval presence in the Indian Ocean, with logistical support from Indian ports.
4
US-EU Rift Accelerates European Pivot to India
Discussed by: CNBC, European Relations analysts
Transatlantic tensions under the second Trump administration push Europe to accelerate partnerships with alternative powers. India becomes a key pillar of EU foreign policy, with the defence partnership deepening faster than originally envisioned. Trade volumes surge as both sides reduce reliance on US markets.
5
Trump Administration Retaliates Against EU-India Trade Bloc
Discussed by: CNBC analysts, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Bloomberg Economics
The Trump administration views the EU-India FTA as undermining U.S. leverage in bilateral trade negotiations with both partners. Treasury Secretary Bessent has already criticized the deal publicly. Washington could impose additional tariffs on both partners or accelerate demands for reciprocal trade barriers. The U.S. already applies 15% tariffs on EU imports and 50% on Indian goods, with an additional 25% duty on India for purchasing Russian oil. Further escalation could force both partners to choose between U.S. market access and their new partnership.
Historical Context
NATO-India Informal Cooperation (2000s–2010s)
2004–2018
What Happened
India established informal security dialogues with NATO and individual European powers while maintaining its non-aligned tradition. France became India's closest European defence partner, selling Rafale jets and Scorpene submarines worth billions of euros. However, India consistently avoided formal security pacts with Western alliances.
Outcome
Short Term
India modernized portions of its military with European equipment while preserving strategic autonomy.
Long Term
Established precedent for deep bilateral defence relationships without alliance commitments—a model the EU-India partnership now formalizes at the bloc level.
Why It's Relevant Today
Shows how India has historically navigated defence cooperation with Western powers while avoiding alliance structures. The new EU partnership represents India's first formal security pact with a Western institution.
EU-Japan Security and Defence Partnership (2024)
November 2024
What Happened
The EU signed its first Security and Defence Partnership with an Indo-Pacific country when High Representative Josep Borrell and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya concluded an agreement in Tokyo. The pact came amid heightened concerns over North Korean-Russian military cooperation and Chinese assertiveness in the region.
Outcome
Short Term
Established a template for EU security partnerships in Asia, including provisions for joint exercises and defence industry cooperation.
Long Term
Signaled EU intent to become a security actor in the Indo-Pacific, not just an economic partner.
Why It's Relevant Today
The Japan partnership created the framework India now joins. Both agreements share similar structures covering maritime security, counterterrorism, and cyber defence—but India's adds access to the SAFE programme.
India's Shift from Non-Alignment to Multi-Alignment (2014–Present)
2014–2026
What Happened
Under Prime Minister Modi, India explicitly moved away from the 'non-aligned' label toward 'multi-alignment'—maintaining ties with Russia while deepening partnerships with the US, Japan, Australia (through the Quad), and now the EU. This shift accelerated after the 2020 Galwan clash with China killed 20 Indian soldiers.
Outcome
Short Term
India joined the Quad, increased joint exercises with Western partners, and reduced reliance on Chinese imports.
Long Term
Positioned India as a swing state in great power competition, able to partner with multiple blocs without formal alliance commitments.
Why It's Relevant Today
The EU defence partnership represents the latest iteration of India's multi-alignment strategy—formalizing security cooperation without the mutual defence obligations of a traditional alliance.
