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New Delhi: As India and the European Union signed a landmark Security and Defence Partnership, European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas said that cooperation between two major democracies will strengthen shared security and open new avenues for defence collaboration.
In a post on X, Kallas said it was a pleasure to sign the new EU-India Security and Defence Partnership with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. She noted that the agreement reflects growing trust and strategic alignment between India and the EU.
Annual Defence Dialogue and Wider Cooperation
Kaja Kallas said the partnership will launch an annual security and defence dialogue, with the first meeting scheduled within a month. She added that the pact will deepen cooperation in maritime security, cybersecurity, and counterterrorism.
When two major democracies act together, we build stronger shared security.
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) January 27, 2026
It was a great pleasure to sign a new EU–India Security and Defence Partnership with @DrSJaishankar today.
The pact launches an annual security and defence dialogue – with the first meeting taking… pic.twitter.com/xtyiewOAi9
Importantly, Kallas said the EU will also explore Indian participation in European defence initiatives, marking a new phase in strategic engagement.
“As the global order shifts, the EU will continue to deepen its diplomatic and economic ties across the world. Strong partnerships multiply our strength,” she said.
India-EU Summit Called Historic
Meanwhile, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the 16th India-EU Summit as a historic moment in bilateral relations.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa, reviewed the full spectrum of India-EU ties.
Historic moment in India-EU ties!
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) January 27, 2026
At the 16th India-EU Summit, PM @narendramodi alongwith President @eucopresident and President @vonderleyen reviewed the full spectrum of India-EU ties and discussed ways to further accelerate the deepening of India-EU partnership.
Discussions… pic.twitter.com/LzpzLc8pDe
According to Jaiswal, discussions focused on trade, clean energy, climate action, digital and emerging technologies including AI, connectivity, supply chains, mobility, skills, research, innovation, and global security cooperation.
Key Outcomes of the Summit
The MEA spokesperson said both sides concluded negotiations on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and adopted the document “Towards 2030: India-EU Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda”.
They also signed a MoU on Mobility Cooperation and formally concluded the Security and Defence Partnership.
He added that these outcomes will guide India-EU cooperation for the next five years and beyond, strengthen national security, boost trade and investment, create jobs, and ease movement for students, workers, and researchers.
India Third Asian Nation to Sign Defence Pact with EU
Earlier, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh welcomed the agreement and said he looked forward to greater cooperation between India and EU countries.
With this agreement, India becomes the third Asian country, after Japan and South Korea, to sign a Security and Defence Partnership with the European Union.
According to the EU, such partnerships are a key pillar of its Strategic Compass, adopted in March 2022. The framework aims to promote peace, security, crisis management, and defence capability development through deeper cooperation with trusted global partners.
The India-EU Security and Defence Partnership is expected to significantly strengthen strategic ties and contribute to regional and global stability.
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