Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

The first EU-India Security and Defense Dialogue took place in New Delhi. This dialogue builds on the momentum of the 16th EU-India Summit and strengthens strategic cooperation within the framework of the recently signed EU-India Security and Defense Partnership by High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaa Kallas and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

According to a statement issued in Brussels yesterday evening by the office of the EU High Representative, the two delegations exchanged assessments of recent geopolitical developments, including Russian aggression in Ukraine, the Middle East, Iran, and the Indo-Pacific region. They also exchanged views on defense and security initiatives and priorities and assessed common interests in addressing shared security challenges.

EU and Indian representatives identified opportunities to enhance cooperation and coordination in various security areas, including maritime security, counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, space, women, peace and security, and consular affairs. They also discussed the next steps regarding the Information Security Agreement, following the launch of negotiations during the EU-India Summit.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to democracy, the rule of law, multilateralism, and the rules-based international order.

The meeting was co-chaired by Benedicta von Sehert-Thus, Director-General for Peace, Security and Defence at the European External Action Service, and Dr. Amit Telang, Joint Secretary for International Cooperation at the Indian Ministry of Defence.

It is worth noting that, within the framework of the EU-India Security and Defence Partnership, signed in January 2026, the EU and India have elevated their annual security and defence consultations to an annual Security and Defence Dialogue, co-chaired at the Director-General level. With the increasing interdependence of security in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region, this new format provides a solid foundation for enhanced dialogue and operational cooperation in the areas of security and defence.