An important step in strengthening the relationship between India and the European Union was taken on June 10, 2025, when the first EU-India Strategic Dialogue was held in Brussels. This high-level meeting, which was attended by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, focused on important topics like cyber security, defense, and space, reflecting the changing global security environment and the interests of both organizations.
In her introductory remarks, Kaja Kallas stressed that India and the EU are “natural partners,” with each country contributing 25% of the global GDP and population. She emphasized how, by cooperating, the two democracies and market economies might have a big worldwide influence. According to reports, the conversation was a turning point that opened the door for more defense collaboration, knowledge exchange, and cooperative efforts to address common issues such as terrorism, military buildups, and transgressions of international law.
The conversation emphasized how India and the EU are becoming more similar on security matters. Cyberattacks and terrorism are two problems that both sides must contend with. One example of their common commitment to respecting international law at sea was the recent combined naval drill in the Indian Ocean. With continuous initiatives in information exchange, capacity building, and countering the funding of terrorism, counterterrorism cooperation is growing. The next counter-terrorism dialogue was scheduled for the fall of 2025.
Kallas argued persuasively for the creation of an official EU-India Security and Defense Partnership, highlighting the connections between peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and Europe. Acknowledging the reciprocal advantages of strengthened defense relations, the EU and seven other nations reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing this objective.
The commitment to create a thorough space discourse, with the first meeting anticipated in late 2025, was a major result of the discussion. This will enhance collaboration in this crucial area by concentrating on satellite navigation, space security, and the exchange of Earth observation satellite data.
In addition to security, the discussion covered more general topics of cooperation, such as commerce, renewable energy, digital connectivity, and research and innovation. As previously decided by EU and Indian leaders, both parties reaffirmed their intention to moving closer to an ambitious free trade agreement within the year. The talks also reaffirmed their mutual commitment to multilateralism and a rules-based international order, highlighting the value of dependable and trustworthy alliances in a contentious international setting.
Key regional and international issues, such as the Indo-Pacific crisis, Russia’s conflict against Ukraine, and South Asian tensions, were discussed between the EU and India. Supporting India’s right to defend its citizens in line with international law and urging more communication between India and Pakistan to ease tensions, the EU reaffirmed its condemnation of the terrorist incident in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
An important step forward in bilateral relations, the first-ever EU-India Strategic Dialogue lays the groundwork for future collaboration in the areas of security, defense, space, and the economy. With intentions to further institutionalize their cooperation through future talks and summits, both parties see their alliance as crucial to advancing peace, security, and prosperity in a world that is becoming more multipolar.
