External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has begun a strategic visit to Brussels, where he is holding talks with European Union leadership to deepen India-EU defence and maritime cooperation, according to officials.
The Brussels engagement marks a continuation of India’s push to strengthen multilateral partnerships beyond its traditional bilateral relationships. The EU remains a critical strategic partner for New Delhi on trade, technology standards, and increasingly on defence and maritime security coordination in the Indo-Pacific region.
Maritime security figures prominently in India-EU strategic discussions. The Indian Navy has expanded its operational footprint across the Indian Ocean Region, the Arabian Sea, and the Bay of Bengal, while EU naval assets, particularly from France, Germany, and the Netherlands, have increased presence in these waters under freedom of navigation operations and bilateral engagement initiatives.
India views maritime security cooperation with the EU as central to its broader Indo-Pacific strategy. The Indian Navy operates an extensive fleet including indigenous frigates, corvettes, and submarine platforms, while coordinating with international partners to address challenges ranging from piracy suppression to freedom of navigation operations in contested waters.
The Brussels visit reflects India’s diplomatic emphasis on strengthening ties with major global powers during a period of significant geopolitical realignment. The EU, as a collective bloc representing 27 member states, has become increasingly focused on Indo-Pacific security, particularly following concerns over Chinese assertiveness and supply chain vulnerabilities highlighted by the Ukraine conflict.
Defence and aerospace cooperation between India and individual EU nations has expanded considerably in recent years. Indian Air Force platforms including the HAL Tejas light combat aircraft, Brahmos cruise missiles, and air defence systems have attracted international interest, while European defence technology continues to play a role in Indian military modernisation programmes.
The EU’s Global Gateway initiative and India’s Act East Policy create convergence on infrastructure development in the Indo-Pacific, an area where both entities see strategic alignment against alternative influence models in the region.
