In a historic first for Indo-European defence cooperation, two European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) warships—ESPS Reina Sofia from Spain and ITS Antonio Marceglia from Italy—arrived in Mumbai on May 26, 2025, marking a milestone in the strategic maritime partnership between India and the European Union (EU). The visit, which lasted until June 1, 2025, represents a major step in strengthening naval and maritime collaboration, reflecting the deepening geopolitical and security engagement between both parties in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Strengthening Maritime Ties: A Strategic Shift

This landmark event follows key diplomatic interactions, particularly the discussions between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, focused on enhancing maritime security and cooperation. These talks underscored the shared strategic interest in maintaining a rules-based international maritime order that ensures the freedom of navigation, adherence to international laws, and protection of critical sea lanes.

The arrival of EUNAVFOR warships in Mumbai signals a maturing of defence diplomacy, reinforcing the commitment of both India and the EU to cooperate on security, peace, and sustainable governance of global waters, especially in light of emerging non-traditional maritime threats.

Operational Engagement and Joint Objectives

The two warships—ESPS Reina Sofia and ITS Antonio Marceglia—are part of the European Union Naval Force, a multinational fleet that operates under the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The force's objective is to promote international maritime security, ensure regional stability, and counter threats such as piracy and smuggling.

The ships’ week-long stay in Mumbai featured a mix of operational turnarounds, crew exchanges, and strategic-level discussions that aimed to foster interoperability and intelligence sharing between the Indian Navy and EUNAVFOR.

Focus on Non-Traditional Maritime Threats

During the visit, the focus remained on non-traditional security challenges, such as:

• Piracy in international waters

• Smuggling and trafficking across sea borders

• Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing

• Maritime cyber threats and terrorism

Both India and the EU emphasized the importance of enhancing maritime domain awareness, ensuring secure maritime trade, and safeguarding sea lanes of communication (SLOCs) in the Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean corridors.

High-Level Naval Interaction

High-level talks were held between Rear Admiral Vidyadhar Harke, Chief Staff Officer (Operations) of the Indian Navy’s Western Naval Command, and Rear Admiral Davide Da Pozzo, Force Commander of Operation Atalanta under EUNAVFOR. Discussions revolved around:

• Tactical coordination at sea

• Expanding future joint exercises

• Developing frameworks for maritime intelligence sharing

• Exploring multilateral security initiatives

These dialogues build upon the outcomes of the 4th India-EU Maritime Security Dialogue, held in New Delhi in March 2025, where both sides reaffirmed their strategic partnership in preserving peace and security on high seas.

Knowledge Sharing through SMEEs and TTX

The crews engaged in Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs) and conducted a Table Top Exercise (TTX) with Indian naval personnel. These activities:

• Encouraged sharing of operational experience in anti-piracy missions

• Enhanced understanding of each other's command structures and procedures

• Improved tactical readiness and mutual learning

This aspect of the visit reflects the broader defence aim of capacity building and doctrinal alignment, necessary for future joint operations.

Joint Naval Drill on June 1, 2025

The visit concluded with a joint naval exercise conducted on June 1, 2025, involving ships and aircraft from both India and the EU. The drill focused on:

• Anti-piracy and anti-smuggling operations

• Maritime surveillance and response tactics

• Rescue and humanitarian operations

• Coordinated communication protocols in real-time operations

This exercise was not just symbolic, but a practical demonstration of increasing interoperability between Indian and European naval forces.

EUNAVFOR: Multinational in Character

It’s important to note that the European Union does not possess a single, permanent navy. Instead, EUNAVFOR is a composite multinational force comprising vessels and personnel from various EU member states. The current deployment to India signifies how the EU leverages its collective maritime assets to build global partnerships.

Operating under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), EUNAVFOR plays a pivotal role in missions like Operation Atalanta, tasked with deterring piracy off the coast of Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa, and increasingly, collaborating with Indo-Pacific partners like India.

Strategic Context and Future Implications

This visit occurs amid a geopolitical rebalancing in the Indo-Pacific, where maritime routes are of immense economic and strategic importance. India’s ambition to play a central role in Indo-Pacific security, along with the EU’s Indo-Pacific strategy, aligns both powers as natural maritime partners.

The India-EU maritime partnership is set to evolve further through:

• Increased frequency of naval exchanges and exercises

• Formalized information-sharing agreements

• Capacity building in maritime law enforcement

• Joint efforts in maritime environmental protection

This aligns with India’s broader vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) and supports the EU’s vision of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

A Growing Defence Partnership

India and the European Union have historically enjoyed strong diplomatic and economic ties. With maritime security now taking centre stage, this naval visit signifies an expansion of the India-EU strategic partnership into defence and security dimensions.

The groundwork laid during this visit—through high-level meetings, tactical training, and real-world maritime exercises—will likely pave the way for:

• A structured defence cooperation roadmap

• Expanded defence industrial partnerships

• Coordinated responses to maritime crises

Conclusion: A Maritime Milestone

The visit by ESPS Reina Sofia and ITS Antonio Marceglia represents more than a ceremonial port call. It is a strategic signal of the increasing convergence between Indian and European security interests, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region.

As both India and the European Union confront evolving maritime threats, their collaboration—cemented through this visit—stands as a powerful example of multilateralism, shared responsibility, and mutual respect. The future of Indo-EU maritime cooperation appears strong, promising greater peace, stability, and security across one of the world's most vital maritime corridors.

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