New Delhi, January 27
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a meeting with the High Representative/Vice President of European Union (EU) Commission Kaja Kallas, here today. The two leaders discussed a range of bilateral security and defence issues during the meeting. Raksha Mantri stated that India and EU share the principles of democracy, pluralism & the rule of law which underpin the steadily deepening partnership. He added that it is these values which India seeks to translate into practical cooperation for global stability, sustainable growth & inclusive prosperity.
Singh emphasised that Indian and EU defence industries must synergise their efforts for larger global good. It complements India’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat while aligning with the EU’s pursuit of strategic autonomy. The partnership will become a force multiplier by integrating supply chains for building trusted defence ecosystems and future-ready capabilities. He said that India’s defence industry can play a meaningful role in the EU’s ‘ReArm initiative’, especially when EU is seeking to rapidly diversify suppliers and de-risk dependencies. He termed Kallas’ visit to India is special as it comes on the occasion of 77th Republic Day.
Kaja Kallas expressed gratitude to be a part of India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations, especially the EU presence in the parade at Kartavya Path. She stated that India and EU must work together in the Indian Ocean Region and learn from each other’s best practices through joint exercises. Singh welcomed EU proposal of positioning a Liaison Officer (LO) at the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in Gurugram. The EU LO at IFC-IOR would enhance operational coordination with the Indian Navy in counter-piracy and assessment of the threats in the Indian Ocean Region.
