Syllabus
GS2: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Context: European Union naval ships visited Mumbai for the first time, enhancing India-EU maritime cooperation through joint exercises and strategic dialogue.
Visit of EUNAVFOR Ships to Mumbai
- Two warships, ESPS Reina Sofia (Spanish Navy) and ITS Antonio Marceglia (Italian Navy), are visiting Mumbai from 26 May to 01 June 2025 for an operational turnaround.
- Both ships are operating under the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) and this marks the first such visit to India conducted under the aegis of the European Union.
- EUNAVFOR (European Union Naval Force) operates under Operation Atalanta, which is an EU counter-piracy mission launched in 2008.
- It is also in line with the discussions undertaken during the 4th India-EU Maritime Security Dialogue, held in Delhi in March 2025.
- This interaction served as a stepping stone for expanding operational ties between the Indian Navy and EUNAVFOR,
- During the harbour stay, multiple engagements were conducted, including:
- Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs)
- Table Top Exercise (TTX)
- These engagements aimed to refine tactical-level cooperation and both sides gained valuable insights from each other’s experience in anti-piracy and anti-smuggling operations.
Upcoming Joint Naval Exercise
- A joint naval exercise at sea is planned post-departure on 01 June 2025, involving:
- ESPS Reina Sofia and ITS Antonio Marceglia from EUNAVFOR
- Indian Navy ships and aircraft
- The complex tactical exercises are aimed at enhancing the interoperability between the two sides and enabling seamless operations when deployed for combating non-traditional threats such as piracy and smuggling in the Indian Ocean Region.
Commitment to Rules-Based Maritime Order
- India and the EU reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based maritime order, ensuring free and open access to international waters while respecting the territorial integrity of littoral states.
- The visit reflects shared interests in safeguarding legitimate trade and addressing challenges such as:
- Piracy
- Smuggling
- Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing