New Delhi [India], February 28 : European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday said that the European Union is exploring a future Security and Defence Partnership with India, similar to the partnerships that the bloc shares with Japan and South Korea.
In her speech here today, she said the partnership will help the EU and India work together to counter common threats such as cross-border terrorism, cyber attacks, maritime security threats, and attacks on critical infrastructure.
The Europan Commission President also said that they are "ready to invest in concrete projects that can already start making these connections happen. Europe is open for business, and we are ready to invest in our common future with India."
"The second broad area for renewed cooperation is security and stability. Here, again, we have many shared interests. Wars, conflicts and coups have erupted in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, in Africa and across different regions. And what happens in one part of the world matters to both Europe and India. Even if we sit far apart on the map. Because peace, security and prosperity are indivisible in this world. In Europe, Russia's goal is to tear Ukraine apart. And we should be clear about what is at stake here. A failed Ukraine would not only weaken Europe. And that is why we have taken historic steps to support Ukraine and its future. But a failed Ukraine would also intensify the challenges in other parts of the world," she said.
von der Leyen expressed her delight over India's interest in joining defence industrial projects under the EU's Permanent Structured Cooperation. Noting that India is working hard to diversify its military supply and she believes that EU and India can help each other to diversify security objectives.
She was delivering the address titled "The consequential partnership: Reimagining and realigning EU and India ties for today's world" at a leading think tank in the national capital.
She stated, "Europe is ready to live up to its responsibility when it comes to security and defence. We will step up our defence spending to ensure that Member States have access to the full spectrum of capabilities that this new reality demands. But we also want to step up cooperation with crucial partners like India. This is why I can announce that we are exploring a future Security and Defence Partnership with India in the mould of the partnerships we have with Japan and South Korea."
"This will help us step up our work to counter common threats whether on cross-border terrorism, maritime security threats, cyber-attacks or the new phenomenon we see: attacks on our critical infrastructure. There is a lot that we can build on. For instance, the recent collaboration on maritime security. And, I am delighted at India's interest in joining defence industrial projects under the EU's Permanent Structured Cooperation. India is working hard to diversify its military supply and to access new capabilities. And I believe we can help each other to deliver on our security objectives," the European Commission President said.
She stressed the need to deepen security links and global partnerships. She stated that India has been a leading voice for raising the concerns of many nations in the Global South. She stated that India can play a unique role as a bridge between the Global South and the rest of the world.
Stressing the need to deepen connectivity between India and the EU, von der Leyen stated, "The third and final element I will touch on is the need to deepen our connectivity links and our global partnerships. And here there is a lot that Europe can learn from India. India has been a leading voice in bringing to the fore the concerns of many countries in the Global South. Addressing these issues becomes all the more important in a world where major powers are pulling away or even pulling at the seams of the international system. And I believe India and Europe have a real opportunity to step up."
"To invest in each other, and to invest in our global partnerships. This is in our core economic and national security interest. India can play a unique role as a bridge between the Global South and the rest of the world. Between the Indo-Pacific and Europe. And Europe is ready to invest to help bring that to life. Through Global Gateway, our EUR 300 billion global infrastructure offer, we can invest in projects to transport energy across India, and between India and the world. And this is just the start of what can be done to build this connectivity between India, Europe and the regions between us," she added.
She also spoke about the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), which was launched in New Delhi in 2023 during India's G20 Presidency. She stated that this corridor is much more than "just a railway or a cable" and stressed that it is a green and digital bridge across continents and civilisations.
von der Leyen said, "The India-Middle East-Europe corridor launched here in New Delhi in 2023 during India's G20 Presidency is a historic opportunity to bring this to life. It's an amazing project. This can be a modern golden road - directly connecting India, the Arabian Gulf and Europe. With a rail link, that will make trade between India and Europe 40 per cent faster. With an electricity cable and a clean hydrogen pipeline. And a high-speed data cable to link some of the most innovative digital ecosystems in the world."
"This corridor is much more than just a railway or a cable. It is a green and digital bridge across continents and civilisations. And it can help bring us closer together and boost trade on everything from batteries to clean hydrogen and digital services. This can be a win-win-win for Europe, India and our partners. We are ready to invest in concrete projects that can already start making these connections happen. Europe is open for business, and we are ready to invest in our common future with India," she said.
In a post on X, von der Leyen stated, "We have a historic opportunity to bring the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor to life. It will connect us like never before. Investing in each other is in our core economic and national interest. Let's make it happen."
https://x.com/vonderleyen/status/1895354664683524168
The European Commission President is on a two-day bilateral visit to India, accompanied by members of European College of Commissioners. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel received Ursula von der Leyen at the airport.
Upon her arrival in Delhi, von der Leyen posted on X, "Touchdown in Delhi with my team of Commissioners. In an era of conflicts and intense competition, you need trusted friends. For Europe, India is such a friend and a strategic ally. I'll discuss with @narendramodi how to take our strategic partnership to the next level."