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.

Source: News on Air