Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India and Europe are deepening their strategic security and defence partnership during his visit to Sweden [1].
This shift signals a transition in India's foreign policy, moving beyond traditional trade to integrate high-level security and mobility agreements with European powers. The move aims to stabilize regional interests while diversifying India's strategic alliances.
Speaking in Gothenburg on May 17 and 18 [2], Modi said that the relationship is expanding into new sectors. He said that cooperation now includes defence manufacturing and mobility agreements, alongside the announcement that a consensus on an India-EU Free Trade Agreement has been reached [1].
"Our partnership is expanding beyond trade into areas including security, defence cooperation, and mobility agreements," Modi said [3].
The remarks came as part of a broader diplomatic effort to promote stability and sustainability. Modi said that India and Europe can become "pillars of stability and sustainability" [4].
The prime minister's current diplomatic tour includes a total of five nations [5]. This itinerary consists of the UAE and four European countries: the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy [6].
Earlier this month, Modi said that the primary objectives of the tour were to focus on trade, energy security, and strategic partnerships [7]. The visit to Sweden served as a key juncture for formalizing the security-centric approach to the European Union. By integrating defence and mobility, India seeks to ensure a more resilient supply chain and shared security architecture with its European counterparts.
“India and Europe can become pillars of stability and sustainability.”
The transition from a trade-centric relationship to one encompassing security and mobility suggests that India views the European Union as a critical strategic hedge. By securing a free trade agreement and deepening defence ties, India reduces its reliance on any single global power for security technology and economic stability.
