India, EU to sign defence partnership at Delhi summit next week

Brussels: India and the European Union (EU) are set to forge a significant security and defense partnership next week. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas provided this information to the European Parliament. Speaking in the European Parliament, Kallas said that this partnership will be part of a larger strategic agenda, which will be signed at the EU-India summit in New Delhi. She said that Europe is ready to work with India on a strong new agenda. A free trade agreement between India and the European Union is also expected to be announced at the summit.

In the European Parliament, Kaja Kallas said, "Today, the EU has agreed to move forward with signing a new security and defense partnership. This will expand our cooperation in areas such as maritime security, counter-terrorism, and cyber-defense. I look forward to signing this during the EU-India summit in New Delhi next week."

Described as a crucial moment for bilateral relations

Kallas said, "In just a few days, the European Union and India will meet in New Delhi. This is a crucial moment for our bilateral relations. There is renewed political momentum and a clear sense of purpose." She referred to the discussions between EU and Indian officials on the joint statement and strategic agenda for the summit and said that both sides are driven by the resolve and understanding that this summit must be a success.

EU-India Summit

The 60th EU-India summit is scheduled to take place in New Delhi. During this summit, both sides are expected to adopt a new EU-India Comprehensive Strategic Agenda that will run until 2030. Kallas described India and the European Union as two major democracies and said that neither can afford to hesitate. She said, "We must become more ambitious partners." The European Union leader said that in an increasingly dangerous world, India and the EU would benefit from working together. She added that the EU is already one of India's largest trading partners and that India is becoming increasingly important to Europe's economic strength.