New Delhi: In a significant development that underscores the deepening defense and security cooperation between India and the European Union (EU), the EU has made an unprecedented move by assigning its inaugural military attaché to its mission in India.
The military attaché officially assumed his duties within the EU delegation in New Delhi just last week, according to sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity. This landmark decision by the EU represents a remarkable step, as the group presently maintains military attachés in fewer than 15 countries. It’s worth noting that the EU posted its first military attaché to the United States only in early 2020.
This latest development unfolds against the backdrop of the EU’s strategic shift towards the Indo-Pacific, a region of paramount significance due to the fact that roughly 40% of the foreign trade of EU member states traverses the South China Sea. Beyond the shared objective of upholding stability in the Indo-Pacific, the escalating geopolitical competition in the region has exerted pressure on trade routes and supply chains.
Hervé Delphin, the EU ambassador, described the appointment of the military attaché as a prudent investment aimed at fostering military-to-military contacts, transcending traditional military-to-diplomatic interactions. He underscored the EU’s transformation into a global player in the realms of security and defense, endeavoring to create new avenues for collaboration and synergy between the EU and India.
It’s noteworthy that the proposal to station a military attaché in India had been put forth several years ago. Initially, the Ministry of External Affairs embraced the proposal, while the Ministry of Defence exhibited less enthusiasm. However, circumstances evolved with China’s assertive activities across the region, aligning with the EU’s pronounced focus on the Indo-Pacific.
India and the EU recently conducted a landmark joint naval exercise in the Gulf of Guinea on October 24, aimed at reinforcing maritime security cooperation. The exercise followed the third India-EU maritime security dialogue held in Brussels on October 5.
During the exercise, the Indian offshore patrol vessel INS Sumedha was joined by warships from the navies of Italy, France, and Spain, engaging in tactical maneuvers and maritime exercises, including helicopter operations.
This exercise underscored the comprehensiveness and dynamism of EU-India collaboration in the sphere of maritime security, reaffirming their commitment to upholding the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
In February 2022, the EU launched a coordinated maritime presence in the northwestern Indian Ocean, strengthening its naval presence in the Indo-Pacific and enhancing its role as a global maritime security provider. Additionally, warships from EU member states such as France, Germany, and Italy have made port calls in Indian harbors.
Hervé Delphin emphasized additional compelling reasons for bolstering security cooperation between India and the EU. Both sides share a commitment to de-escalation, and it is pertinent to note that three of the top four shipping companies originate from Denmark, France, and Germany. The EU’s vision encompasses ensuring equity, an absence of asymmetry, and the preservation of open access and trade space in the Indo-Pacific region.
This momentous decision signifies a significant milestone in the deepening relationship between India and the European Union, with profound implications for the Indo-Pacific and global security dynamics.
