India and EU Strengthen Defence Bonds as Naval Ships Arrive in Mumbai

EU warships visited Mumbai to enhance India-EU naval cooperation, conducting joint exercises, strategic dialogues, and promoting maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region.

FREMONT, CA: Two warships from the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) — ESPS Reina Sofia from Spain and ITS Antonio Marceglia from Italy — made a historic arrival in Mumbai for their first official visit to India. The ships, which were docked from May 26 to June 1, marked a significant milestone in the strengthening of maritime security collaboration between India and the EU.

Strategic Dialogue and Engagements

The visit followed recent high-level discussions between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. These talks have paved the way for increased cooperation in defence and security. The EU delegation was led by Rear Admiral Davide Da Pozzo, Force Commander for EUNAVFOR’s Operation Atalanta. During the port call, Rear Admiral Da Pozzo met with Rear Admiral Vidyadhar Harke, Chief Staff Officer (Operations) of India’s Western Naval Command.

Joint Activities in Mumbai

During their stay in Mumbai, naval officers from both sides took part in a series of collaborative activities. These included expert-level dialogues and a tabletop exercise focused on tackling maritime threats such as smuggling and piracy. These interactions offered an opportunity to enhance understanding and improve coordination between the two naval forces.

Sea Drills in the Arabian Sea

Following their stay in Mumbai, the two EU warships are scheduled to take part in joint sea exercises with Indian Navy ships and aircraft. These exercises, which will be conducted in the Arabian Sea after June 1, are designed to build practical capabilities in responding to regional challenges such as drug trafficking, illegal fishing, and piracy. By operating together at sea, the naval forces aim to strengthen interoperability and tactical cooperation, a tangible result of their collaboration.

Context of Broader Maritime Cooperation

This visit also follows the 4th India-EU Maritime Security Dialogue, held in March 2025 in New Delhi. The dialogue, which played a crucial role in laying the groundwork for the current collaboration, provided a platform to explore shared interests in promoting maritime safety and sustainable development in the Indian Ocean Region. With both sides participating in structured discussions and planning, maritime collaboration has seen renewed momentum.

Commitment to Open and Safe Seas

Both India and the EU reaffirmed their shared stance on the importance of a maritime order that is open, transparent, and grounded in international law. Their joint vision supports freedom of navigation, unimpeded commerce, and respect for the sovereignty of coastal states. As regional and global stakeholders, India and the EU continue to explore avenues for working together in maintaining peace and stability in international waters, a commitment that should reassure our readers.

The presence of EU naval forces in Mumbai reflects the growing convergence between India and the EU in the security domain. As both sides move forward with more coordinated defence initiatives, the visit by ESPS Reina Sofia and ITS Antonio Marceglia sets a precedent for further operational collaboration and trust-building at sea.