Indian Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth on Friday met Commissioner for Defence and Space, European Commission Andrius Kubilius in New Delhi when they discussed the India-European Union bilateral defence and security cooperation with a focus on maritime engagements and information sharing in the Indo-Pacific.

Sanjay Seth and Andrius Kubilius also explored ways and means to enhance defence industrial cooperation, particularly the participation of European defence companies in joint projects and co-production opportunities in India.

"They considered the modalities of Indian participation in the European Union’s Permanent Structured Cooperation and other European developmental projects," read the statement issued by the Indian Ministy of Defence.

Andrius Kubilius is visiting India as a part of the President European Commission-led delegation along with the College of Commissioners.

Sharing details about the meeting, the Indian Ministry of Defence wrote on X: "Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri@SethSanjayMP met #EU Commissioner for Defence & Space Mr Andrius Kubilius in New Delhi today to strengthen #IndiaEU defence ties. They discussed #maritime cooperation, #information sharing in the #IndoPacific, and boosting defence #industrial collaboration, including joint projects and co-production in India. They also explored India's participation in EU defence initiatives strengthening #strategicpartnerships for a secure #future."

India-EU Bond

India-EU bilateral relations date back to the early 1960s with India being amongst the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the European Economic Community in 1962.

The first India-EU Summit took place in June 2000 in Lisbon and it marked a watershed in the evolution of the ties. The relationship was upgraded to a ‘Strategic Partnership’ during the 5th India-EU Summit held in 2004 in The Hague. As on date, 15 Summits have been held between India and the EU.

India and EU have institutionalized political dialogues, inter alia, on Counter-Terrorism, Cyber Security, Migration and Mobility, Maritime Security, Human Rights, Non-Proliferation and Disarmament. The two sides meet regularly to discuss bilateral cooperation and international developments in these areas, as read on the Indian Embassy in Brussels website.