Second Maritime Security Dialogue: India & EU discuss cooperation in joint naval activities in Indo-Pacific
India and the European Union held their second virtual maritime security dialogue on Tuesday, 1 February 2022. The dialogue aims to increase mutual understanding and cooperation opportunities between India and the EU in the maritime security domain as part of the two sides’ strategic partnership in accordance with the India-EU Roadmap to 2025.
The consultations covered developments in the maritime security environment, policy developments pertaining to the EU strategy for Indo-Pacific cooperation and India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative, India-EU maritime cooperation, and regional initiatives addressing international maritime security issues.
Following their successful joint naval exercise in the Gulf of Aden in June 2021, India and the EU discussed cooperation, including maritime domain awareness, capacity-building, and joint naval activities.
‘’India and European Union are committed to a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacific region, underpinned by respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, democracy, rule of law, freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded lawful commerce, and peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),’’ the statement said.
The first maritime security dialogue was held in a virtual format on 20 January 2021.
About Joint naval exercise:
The first joint exercise between the Indian Navy and the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) was held in the Gulf of Aden in June 2021. A total of five warships from four navies participated in the exercise on 18-19 June. Indian Naval Ship Trikand was deployed for anti-piracy operations in the first-ever exercise with EUNAVFOR in the Gulf of Aden.
The two-day exercise saw high tempo-naval operations at sea, including advanced air defence and anti-submarine exercises, tactical manoeuvres, boarding operations, underway replenishment, cross deck helicopter operations, search and rescue, and other maritime security operations.
