Security Convergence and Capability Enhancement for the EU-India Partnership (SECURE-INDO)

As India and the European Union (EU) continue to deepen their strategic partnership and as both sides look to translate this convergence into more structured cooperation on security and defence, the Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy (CSDS) and the Council for Strategic and Defense Research (CSDR) have launched a dedicated initiative to support this process titled “SECURE-INDO: Security Convergence and Capability Enhancement for the EU-India Partnership”.

The Initiative, funded by the European Commission and the EU Delegation to India, runs from June 2026 to June 2027 and aims to bridge long-standing perception gaps between New Delhi, Brussels and European capitals through consistent, structured engagement. It will focus on creating a trusted, closed-door environment for strategic dialogue, including participation from the private sector and defence industry, reflecting the growing centrality of industrial cooperation within the broader strategic partnership. Led by these two institutions and supported by their research staff, it goes beyond narrow project objectives to provide a responsive and adaptable platform for addressing bilateral trends. Fostering a deeper mutual understanding of each other will help prepare both partners for future challenges, ensuring that India-EU relations develop as a deliberate strategic priority with compatible approaches to international security, encompassing security, defence, energy, economic and maritime cooperation. The Initiative will build on and further strengthen existing security initiatives in and with the region, including ESIWA+ and the Team Europe Initiatives.

With these goals in mind, the project will include a series of four thematic roundtables, bringing together policymakers, experts and industry representatives to examine key dimensions of the partnership; two flagship dialogues, convening senior stakeholders from both sides to anchor the Initiative’s public visibility and impact; and a final in-depth report, drawing on the findings and discussions to offer forward-looking recommendations.

For further information on the project and its deliverables, please contact Giulia Tercovich (Giulia.Tercovich@vub.be).

Project Deliverables