India and the European Union signed a landmark defence and security partnership in New Delhi on January 27, 2026, alongside concluding the long-pending free trade agreement.

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• India and the European Union signed their first-ever comprehensive defence and security partnership, reflecting growing strategic trust beyond traditional trade-focused cooperation frameworks.

• The agreement covers maritime security, defence industry collaboration, advanced defence technologies, space security, cyber threats, and counter-terrorism cooperation.

• The partnership was formalised during the visit of EU leaders to India for the 77th Republic Day celebrations, symbolising deepening political and strategic engagement.

• India and EU launched negotiations on a Security of Information Agreement, enabling secure exchange of classified information with legal protection mechanisms.

• The pact addresses emerging challenges including hybrid warfare, transnational crime, cyberattacks, and regional instability across Indo-Pacific and European theatres.

• Leaders adopted “Towards 2030 India–EU Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda,” providing a long-term roadmap for security, technology, sustainability, connectivity, and people-to-people ties.

• European defence expansion under ReArm Europe and Readiness 2030 opens manufacturing and supply opportunities for India’s growing defence industrial ecosystem.

• The partnership positions India and EU as long-term security partners committed to shared democratic values, global stability, and a rules-based international order.