In First-Ever Visit to India, EU Naval Ships Dock in Mumbai, Marks New Chapter in Defence Ties
In First-Ever Visit to India, EU Naval Ships Dock in Mumbai, Marks New Chapter in Defence Ties
Two European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) warships, ESPS Reina Sofia from the Spanish Navy and ITS Antonio Marceglia from the Italian Navy, landed in Mumbai for the first official EU naval visit to India in a major step to fortify maritime security ties. The ships were in Mumbai from May 26 to June 1 for an operational turnaround.
The historic visit follows recent talks between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which highlighted the expansion of defence cooperation between the EU and India.
The EU delegation was led by Rear Admiral Davide Da Pozzo, who is the Force Commander for EUNAVFOR’s Operation Atalanta. He spoke with the Chief Staff Officer (Operations) of the Indian Navy’s Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Vidyadhar Harke.
Both sides agreed to work more closely together in military operations, especially at sea.
Indian and EU naval officers engaged in a number of cooperative initiatives while docked in Mumbai. These featured discussions at the expert level and a tabletop exercise centred on combating contemporary maritime risks like smuggling and piracy. The aim of these conferences was to improve communication and coordination between the two navies.
Following the harbour visit, the two EU warships will participate in cooperative sea exercises in the Arabian Sea alongside Indian Navy aircraft and ships. These drills, which are planned for after June 1, are anticipated to enhance operational and coordination abilities in addressing issues like drug trafficking, illicit fishing, and piracy in the Indian Ocean Region.
Additionally, this visit comes after the 4th India-EU Maritime Security Dialogue, which was held in March 2025 in New Delhi. It signifies a strengthening alliance between India and the EU in broader strategic domains as well as defence.
The EU and India both underlined their common commitment to a rules-based maritime system that guarantees open waters, freedom of navigation, and respect for the sovereignty of coastal countries.
