Agreement between the EU and India: Better to have too many partners than too few

India and the European Union want to move closer together not only economically, but also in the area of ​​security. In addition to the declaration of completion of free trade agreement negotiations, both sides signed a security and defense partnership agreement in New Delhi. This should include maritime and cyber security, the protection of critical infrastructure, information exchange and space security.

The agreement represents a “new phase” in relations, said EU representative Kaja Kallas. There had already been cooperation in the recent past: India’s navy took for example, took part in anti-piracy operations and exercises with European naval forces. India also sources military technology from European countries, such as French Rafale fighter jets.

The agreement is now intended to turn this into a partnership. In addition to economic factors, their conclusion is likely to have geopolitical reasons.

India has so far maintained a close defense partnership with Russia. For example, there is an agreement valid until 2031 for the joint development and production of military technology and for the maintenance of Russian military technology in Indian services. There were also joint exercises, around 2025. So long after the start of the Russian war of aggression on the entire Ukraine in February 2022.

Relations between Pakistan and the USA have recently become warmer

However, like most countries in this era of multipolarity, India is trying to diversify its partnerships. Delhi recently signed a letter of intent for a defense agreement with the United Arab Emirates.

The fact that arch-enemy Pakistan recently signed a strategic mutual defense agreement with the Gulf state of Saudi Arabia may also play a role. According to some analysts, this brought Riyadh under Islamabad’s nuclear defense umbrella.

Saudi Arabia is also a close partner of Donald Trump’s US government. This in turn recently imposed high tariffs on India for the purchase of Russian oil. And diplomatic relations between the USA and Pakistan recently seemed warmer than they have been in a long time.

Under the Trump administration, more and more states are probably realizing two things: on the one hand, that the USA is no longer willing to project its power and thus help protect third countries. And that at the same time they are pursuing a power strategy – and it is wise not to position yourself too clearly against them.