26 Jan 2026·Source: The Indian Express

2 min

International RelationsPolity & GovernanceNEWS

India and EU Ready to Strengthen Maritime Security Cooperation

India and EU to boost maritime security, counter-terrorism cooperation.

Photo by Daniel Seel

India and the European Union are set to enhance their cooperation in maritime security and counter-terrorism efforts. The agreement aims to address shared challenges in the maritime domain, including piracy, armed robbery, and other illicit activities.

This partnership also focuses on strengthening information sharing and coordinated responses to terrorist threats, reflecting a commitment to regional and global security. The collaboration between India and the EU underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing complex security challenges.

UPSC Exam Angles

GS Paper 2: International Relations - Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests

GS Paper 3: Security - Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism

Potential question types: Statement-based MCQs, Analytical Mains questions on India-EU relations

Visual Insights

Key Maritime Regions for India-EU Cooperation

This map highlights the key maritime regions where India and the EU are focusing their cooperation efforts, including the Indian Ocean and areas prone to piracy and terrorism.

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📍Indian Ocean📍Gulf of Aden📍Strait of Malacca📍Arabian Sea📍Bay of Bengal

More Information

Background

The India-EU strategic partnership, formalized in 2004, evolved from earlier dialogues in the 1990s. Initially focused on trade and economic cooperation, it expanded to include political and security dimensions. A key milestone was the adoption of the 'EU-India Agenda for Action 2025' in 2017, which outlined enhanced cooperation in areas like counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, and maritime security.

The historical context also includes the EU's increasing focus on the Indo-Pacific region, reflected in its 'Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific' adopted in 2021. This strategy underscores the EU's commitment to a rules-based international order and maritime security in the region, aligning with India's own strategic interests.

Latest Developments

In recent years, India and the EU have intensified their maritime cooperation through joint naval exercises and information sharing initiatives. The EU's increased naval presence in the Indian Ocean, particularly through initiatives like the Coordinated Maritime Presences (CMP) concept, reflects a growing commitment to regional security. Discussions on a potential EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) also include provisions related to maritime security and trade facilitation.

Looking ahead, further collaboration is expected in areas such as maritime domain awareness, capacity building for coastal states, and joint efforts to combat illegal fishing and other maritime crimes. The evolving geopolitical landscape, including China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific, is likely to further strengthen India-EU maritime cooperation.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the main goal of India and EU's enhanced maritime security cooperation?

The primary goal is to address shared maritime security challenges such as piracy, armed robbery, and terrorism, ensuring safer maritime routes and enhanced regional and global security.

2. How has the India-EU strategic partnership evolved over time?

The partnership, formalized in 2004, evolved from trade and economic cooperation to include political and security dimensions, with the 'EU-India Agenda for Action 2025' marking a key milestone in enhanced cooperation.

3. What are the recent developments in India-EU maritime cooperation?

Recent developments include joint naval exercises, information sharing initiatives, and the EU's increased naval presence in the Indian Ocean through initiatives like the Coordinated Maritime Presences (CMP).

4. What are the potential benefits of increased India-EU maritime security cooperation?

Increased cooperation can lead to safer trade routes, reduced piracy, more effective counter-terrorism efforts, and a stronger, more stable maritime environment in the Indian Ocean region.

5. How might the enhanced maritime cooperation impact common citizens?

Enhanced maritime security can lead to safer trade, potentially reducing the cost of goods. It also contributes to a more stable and secure environment, indirectly benefiting citizens through reduced threats.

6. What specific illicit activities does this India-EU cooperation aim to address?

This cooperation aims to address piracy, armed robbery, and other illicit activities in the maritime domain.

7. What is the 'EU-India Agenda for Action 2025' and why is it significant?

It is a document outlining enhanced cooperation between India and the EU in areas like counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, and maritime security, marking a significant step in strengthening their strategic partnership.

8. What type of information sharing is envisioned under this agreement?

The agreement focuses on strengthening information sharing related to maritime threats, terrorist activities, and other security concerns to enable coordinated responses.

9. What is the Coordinated Maritime Presences (CMP) concept and how does it relate to India-EU cooperation?

The CMP is an EU initiative that increases naval presence in the Indian Ocean, reflecting a growing commitment to regional security and aligning with India-EU efforts to enhance maritime security.

10. What are the key areas of focus for India and EU in counter-terrorism cooperation?

The cooperation focuses on strengthening information sharing and coordinated responses to terrorist threats, reflecting a commitment to regional and global security.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the 'EU-India Agenda for Action 2025': 1. It outlines enhanced cooperation in areas like counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, and maritime security. 2. It was adopted in 2017 with the aim of strengthening the India-EU strategic partnership. 3. It primarily focuses on economic cooperation, with limited emphasis on political and security dimensions. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 and 2 only
B.2 and 3 only
C.1 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: A

Statement 1 is CORRECT: The 'EU-India Agenda for Action 2025' does indeed outline enhanced cooperation in counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, and maritime security. Statement 2 is CORRECT: It was adopted in 2017 to strengthen the India-EU strategic partnership. Statement 3 is INCORRECT: While economic cooperation is important, the agenda also places significant emphasis on political and security dimensions, not limited emphasis.

2. Which of the following initiatives reflects the EU's increasing naval presence and commitment to regional security in the Indian Ocean?

A.Coordinated Maritime Presences (CMP)
B.Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
C.ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)
D.Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)

Show Answer

Answer: A

The Coordinated Maritime Presences (CMP) is an EU initiative aimed at enhancing maritime security in specific areas of interest, including the Indian Ocean. It involves coordinating the deployment of naval assets from EU member states to address maritime security challenges. The other options are regional organizations but not directly related to EU naval presence.

3. Assertion (A): India and the EU are enhancing cooperation in maritime security and counter-terrorism efforts. Reason (R): Both India and the EU share concerns about piracy, armed robbery, and terrorist threats in the maritime domain. In the context of the above statements, which one of the following is correct?

A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
C.A is true but R is false
D.A is false but R is true

Show Answer

Answer: A

Both the assertion and the reason are true. India and the EU are indeed enhancing cooperation in maritime security and counter-terrorism. The reason correctly explains why this cooperation is happening – both sides share concerns about maritime security threats like piracy and terrorism.