The EU delegation with the Indian delegation. (Photo: X/@cremogi)
New Delhi: The European Union recently hosted a three-day study tour in Europe for senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Defence. This initiative was designed to bolster security and defence cooperation between the EU and India.
Muanpuii Saiawi, joint secretary of the Disarmament and International Security Affairs Division at the foreign ministry, led the Indian delegation. She was joined by Captain Fabrizio Falzi, the defence attaché of the EU delegation to India. The visit was organized by the EU delegation to India and supported by the EU co-funded Enhancing Security Cooperation In and with Asia (ESIWA) project.
It was great discussing ??-?? cooperation on maritime security with a visiting delegation of Indian friends, led by @MuanpuiiSaiawi pic.twitter.com/Xxa20Sn5Kq
— Giovanni Cremonini (@cremogi) September 2, 2024
During their visit, the Indian officials received detailed briefings on the EU’s security and defence frameworks, including the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions. The delegation visited key EU institutions in Brussels, Belgium, and the EU Naval Force Operation (EUNAVFOR) ATALANTA headquarters in Rota, Spain. These sessions were held at the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Directorate for Security and Defence Policy, the European Security and Defence College, and the European Union Military Staff.
Hervé Delphin, the EU ambassador to India, underscored the shared commitment of India and the EU to strengthening security and defence ties. He highlighted the importance of maritime security, noting the collaboration between EU NAVFOR and the Indian Navy in the Indian Ocean region. Delphin also emphasized the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific region to both India and the EU, advocating for a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based maritime order.
The study tour aimed to foster a deeper mutual understanding and explore potential cooperation in CSDP missions and the Indo-Pacific region. The EU’s CSDP enables the Union to take a leading role in peace-keeping operations, conflict prevention, and international security. EUNAVFOR ATALANTA is a key component of the EU’s CSDP and naval diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific.
