India and the European Union want to boost cooperation in the Indo-Pacific
India and the European Union have pledged to expand cooperation in the Indo-Pacific with the resolve to address common security challenges and promote peace and stability in the region.
The two sides on Monday explored ways to boost cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region during a security and defense dialogue in Delhi.
During the meeting, India and the EU reiterated their commitment to a free, open, inclusive and rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacific region, underpinned by respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, democracy and the rule of law and freedom of navigation and overflight, according to a reading from the EU delegation in India.
The dialogue was co-chaired by Vishvesh Negi, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) at the Ministry of Defense, and Joanneke Balfoort, Director of Security and Defense Policy at the European External Action Service.
Both sides also underlined the importance of unimpeded lawful trade and peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Both the European Union and the countries in the Indo-Pacific region have an interest in each other’s prosperity and security, the lecture said.
The EU aims to contribute to stability, security, prosperity and sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific by promoting the principles of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and international law and acting as an “intelligent enabler” ” for peace and security in non-traditional areas. security domains, in full cooperation with the other actors in the region, mainly India, the report said.
The EU Delegation to India also organized a seminar on the theme ‘The security environment in the Indo-Pacific region and the role of the EU as a security actor in partnership/cooperation with India’.
The seminar was attended by security and defense experts, think tank representatives, diplomats, Indian officials and representatives of EU member states.
“In this interconnected world, mutually beneficial partnerships in peace, security and defense are needed more than ever. We see India, a country with significant strategic weight in the global security balance, as an important partner for the EU in the Indo-Pacific.” Balfoort said at the seminar.
EU Ambassador to India Herv Delphin said war has made the global environment more volatile and unstable and security threats are increasing.
“The EU is adapting to this new reality by improving its own security and defense, but also by working with international partners to address common security challenges and promote peace and stability,” he said.
‘The growing interconnectedness between the dynamics in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region means that cooperation with Asian partners and especially with India has become more important than ever.
First print: May 07, 2024 | 11:20 PM IST