India, EU sign landmark security pact; conclude FTA talks

India and the European Union signed a Security and Defence Partnership Agreement on Tuesday, January 27, to boost cooperation in areas such as maritime security, defence technology and industry.

The partnership was signed on the sidelines of the visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa to New Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and von der Leyen also announced the conclusion of negotiations on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which

aims to enhance bilateral ties, drive shared prosperity, and strengthen resilient and diversified supply chains, according to the India-EU joint statement.

The India-EU Security and Defence Partnership is the first overarching defence and security framework between the two sides. It seeks to deepen cooperation in maritime security, defence industry and technology, cyber and hybrid threats, space, counter-terrorism, and other areas.

Both sides also launched negotiations on a Security of Information Agreement, which will facilitate the exchange of classified information and pave the way for stronger cooperation in security and defence.

As part of their long-term vision, Prime Minister Modi and von der Leyen adopted “Towards 2030: India–EU Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda” to elevate strategic cooperation between the two sides.

The agenda aims to accelerate progress across five key pillars: prosperity and sustainability; technology and innovation; security and defence; connectivity and global challenges; and enabling factors such as skills, mobility, business, and people-to-people ties.

Under the defence partnership, both sides will consult on their respective defence initiatives, including through exchanges on defence industry–related matters. They will also explore possibilities for India’s participation in relevant EU defence initiatives, where there is mutual interest and alignment of security priorities, in line with their respective legal frameworks.

The agreement also provides for the setting up of an industry-led India-EU Defence Industry Forum to bring together businesses from both sides. The forum will have official participation as observers and will associate EU Member States, enabling more focused discussions on the defence industry and exploration of potential opportunities.

Earlier in the day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with European Union’s chief of foreign and security affairs, Kaja Kallas, in New Delhi, ahead of the India-EU Summit.

The leaders discussed a range of bilateral security and defence issues, including opportunities for integrating supply chains to build trusted defence ecosystems and future-ready capabilities, Singh said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Delighted to meet High Representative/Vice President (HR/VP) of the European Commission Ms. Kaja Kallas in New Delhi today.

Discussed a range of bilateral security and defence issues including oppurtunities for integrating supply chains for building trusted defence ecosystems… pic.twitter.com/hTrPj46Tt8

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) January 27, 2026