Context:
India and Belgium deliberated upon defence engagements in Indo Pacific with a view to the maritime domain and, by extension, industrial cooperation. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken and Princess Astrid in New Delhi to discuss boosting Belgium’s defence investments in India.
An “institutionalised defence cooperation mechanism” is likely in further discussions between the two sides.
India-EU Defence Collaboration
- India and the EU committed to deepening security ties and consider a Security of Information Agreement (SoIA).
- India has expressed interest in becoming part of the European Union’s Permanent Structured Cooperation (Pesco) framework for joint defence projects.
- European defence companies are making overtures to Indian firms in order to bump up production and take India somewhere in the global supply chain.
Strategic Importance
- With Russia Ukraine war and changing global security dynamics pushing Europe to enhance its defence capabilities.
- India’s below par defence manufacturing base makes it an important player as part of EU defence supply chains.
- Boosted maritime cooperation in the Indo Pacific is in alignment with the cherished Act East Policy for India and EU Indo Pacific strategy.
This promising India Belgium and India EU partnership will open a new chapter in global defence cooperation for security in the Indo Pacific but beyond.
Source: TH
