Rajnath Singh, EU’s Kaja Kallas discuss defence cooperation in New Delhi

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh met with the High Representative and Vice President of the European Union Commission, Ms Kaja Kallas, in New Delhi on Monday to discuss bilateral security and defence cooperation between India and the EU.

During the meeting, Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted the shared values of democracy, pluralism, and the rule of law that underpin the growing India–EU partnership. He stressed that Indian and EU defence industries must synergise their efforts for the greater global good, complementing India’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and aligning with the EU’s pursuit of strategic autonomy.

“By integrating supply chains and building trusted defence ecosystems, this partnership can become a force multiplier for future-ready capabilities,” Shri Singh said. He also noted India’s defence industry could play a meaningful role in the EU’s ‘ReArm initiative,’ especially as the EU seeks to diversify suppliers and de-risk dependencies. The Raksha Mantri termed Ms Kallas’ visit “special,” as it coincides with India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations.

Ms Kaja Kallas, expressing gratitude for participating in the Republic Day events, emphasized that India and the EU must work together in the Indian Ocean Region and learn from each other’s best practices through joint exercises. She welcomed the idea of positioning a European Liaison Officer at the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in Gurugram, which would enhance operational coordination in counter-piracy operations and threat assessments.

The leaders’ discussions signal a strengthening of strategic and defence ties between India and the EU, with a focus on global stability, sustainable growth, and inclusive prosperity.