India, EU hold second consultation on security and defense

The EU and India held their second consultation on security and defense in New Delhi and exchanged views and related assessments on international and regional issues in Europe, including Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine as well as South Asia. and developments in the Middle East.

At the consultation held on May 6, they also discussed security and defense policy developments. The EU briefed on the implementation of the EU’s strategic compass and Indo-Pacific strategy, including the European Defense Industrial Strategy (EDIS), as well as new EU operations such as EUNAVFOR Aspides.

They also discussed and agreed to deepen engagement in existing areas of bilateral cooperation such as cyber, maritime security and crisis management, including making full use of the potential offered by the EU project Enhancing Cooperation in and with Asia (ESIWA) .

They also agreed on the need to explore new areas of cooperation, including space security.

The consultation was co-chaired by Joanne Balfort, Director of Security and Defense Policy of the European External Action Service, and Vishvesh Negi, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation), Ministry of Defence, India.