EU-India: 1st Security and Defence Dialogue held in New Delhi

On 6 March 2026, the first EU-India Security and Defence Dialogue was held in New Delhi. The establishment of this Dialogue builds on the momentum of the 16th EU-India Summit and advances strategic cooperation under the recent EU-India Security and Defence Partnership signed by High Representative/Vice President Kaja Kallas and Indian Minister for External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

The delegations shared assessments on recent geopolitical developments, including on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the Middle East, Iran and the Indo-Pacific. They also exchanged on respective defence and security initiatives and priorities, and assessed shared interests to address common security challenges.  

The EU and Indian representatives identified opportunities for enhanced cooperation and coordination across a range of security domains, including maritime security, counterterrorism, cyber, non-proliferation and disarmament, space, Women, Peace and Security, and consular. They also discussed next steps on a Security of Information Agreement, following the launch of negotiations during the EU-India Summit.

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

The meeting was co-chaired by the European External Action Service’s Managing Director for Peace, Security and Defence, Benedikta von Seherr-Thoss, and the Indian Ministry of Defence’s Joint Secretary for International Cooperation, Dr. Amit Telang.  

Background

As part of the EU-India Security and Defence Partnership, signed in January 2026, the EU and India have upgraded their annual Security and Defence Consultations to an annual Security and Defence Dialogue co-chaired at the level of Managing Director. As the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific becomes more interconnected, this new format provides a solid basis for enhanced dialogue and operational cooperation on security and defence.