India–EU Security and Defence Partnership Set to Be Signed at New Delhi Summit

New Delhi / Brussels: India and the European Union (EU) are poised to sign a new Security and Defence Partnership during the upcoming 16th India‑EU Summit in New Delhi on January 27, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas confirmed on Wednesday.

Addressing the European Parliament ahead of the summit, Kallas said the proposed partnership reflects both sides’ desire to expand cooperation amid global instability and complex security challenges. The agreement — cleared to move forward at senior levels — will formalise deeper collaboration in areas such as maritime security, cybersecurity and counterterrorism.

Kallas stated that the pact is being finalised ahead of the summit where EU leaders will attend India’s Republic Day celebrations as chief guests for the first time, highlighting the growing importance of the bilateral relationship.

The expected Security and Defence Partnership is part of a broader strategic agenda being adopted at the summit, which also includes discussions on a long‑pending Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and frameworks to enhance mobility for professionals, students and researchers.

Under the new pact, both sides plan to launch negotiations on a Security of Information Agreement (SOIA) that would support the exchange of classified intelligence and sensitive data, a key step toward closer strategic alignment.

Officials say the partnership will expand cooperation on joint exercises, defence research and development, and interoperability mechanisms, enhancing India‑EU engagement in the Indo‑Pacific and beyond. It is expected to provide Indian defence firms with access to important European defence funding, technology collaboration and market opportunities, though details on specific financial mechanisms are still under negotiation.

The summit comes as India and the EU are also working to conclude the long‑running Free Trade Agreement talks, which would mark a significant milestone in economic ties between the world’s fastest‑growing major economy and Europe’s largest trading bloc.India and the EU have described their evolving partnership as a comprehensive strategic agenda, combining economic, security and geopolitical cooperation to address shared challenges in a shifting global landscape.