EU Seeks Defense and Security Partnership with India, Eyes Major Trade Deal

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the European Union is exploring a security and defense partnership with India, similar to its existing collaborations with Japan and South Korea. This initiative aims to address shared challenges, including cross-border terrorism, maritime security threats, cyber-attacks, and infrastructure vulnerabilities. Additionally, the EU and India are committed to finalizing a free trade agreement by the end of this year, which would be the largest of its kind globally. This agreement seeks to enhance cooperation in trade, technology, connectivity, and defense, especially in light of potential U.S. tariffs and China’s growing influence in the Asia-Pacific region.