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Strengthening Maritime Security: India–EU Naval Cooperation and the Proposed Joint Anti-Piracy Exercise
EU and India launch joint anti-piracy drill in Indian Ocean
Context: Recently, the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation Atalanta proposed a joint anti-piracy naval exercise with the Indian Navy in May 2025.
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- The proposal was made during the April 2025 visit of Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano, Operation Commander of EUNAVFOR, to New Delhi and Mumbai.
- The proposed drill would move beyond basic PASSEX (Passage Exercises) to a more coordinated, tactical exercise, aiming at enhancing interoperability and counter-piracy capabilities.
Significance of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
- The Indian Ocean is a critical maritime artery, through which 46% of global trade passes.
- The region is vulnerable to non-traditional security threats such as:
- Piracy
- Arms and drug trafficking
- Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing
- Securing the IOR is pivotal to maintaining regional stability and global economic security.
- The region is also a theatre for increasing geopolitical contestation involving regional and extra-regional powers.
- Two European warships are expected to participate.
India–EU Maritime Engagement: Operation Atalanta and Beyond
- Operation Atalanta was launched by the EU in 2008 to:
- Combat piracy off the coast of Somalia
- Protect World Food Programme (WFP) vessels
- Its mandate has since expanded to include:
- Countering arms and drug trafficking
- Enforcing the UN arms embargo on Somalia
- Curbing illicit charcoal trade
- Monitoring IUU fishing
- India has emerged as a consistent maritime partner of the EU through regular PASSEX exercises.
- Past collaborations include the 2021 joint drill in the Gulf of Aden featuring live firing and cross-deck helicopter operations.
- India also participates in the SHADE (Shared Awareness and Deconfliction) mechanism and hosts the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) to enhance maritime domain awareness.
Objectives of the Proposed Naval Exercise
- The proposed drill aims to transition from basic interactions to advanced operational collaboration.
- Key objectives include:
- Enhancing counter-piracy operations
- Conducting tactical naval manoeuvres
- Strengthening secure communication protocols
- Promoting joint planning and interoperability
- Intended outcomes:
- Crew-level trust and synergy
- Operational compatibility
- Strengthening maritime security architecture in the region
Rationale Behind the Exercise: Strategic and Geopolitical Imperatives
- Persistent Maritime Threats
- Piracy remains a threat due to regional instability, especially near the Horn of Africa and Houthi activity in the Red Sea.
- Threats have diversified to include arms smuggling and illegal fishing, necessitating coordinated responses.
- Geopolitical Contestation in the Indo-Pacific
Strategic Significance for India–EU Relations
- The proposed exercise marks a strategic deepening of India–EU defence cooperation.
- Reinforces shared adherence to:
- UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)
- Freedom of navigation and open sea lanes
- Enhances India’s stature as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region.
- Aligns with India’s push for minilateral and multilateral naval partnerships, contributing to a more stable Indo-Pacific.
- Institutional engagements such as visits to the Western Naval Command, MoD, and IFC-IOR reflect growing trust and operational convergence.
- The IOR is increasingly witnessing the presence of multiple navies, including:
- China’s PLA Navy, operational since 2008, including nuclear submarines, under the guise of anti-piracy
- France’s maritime assets, representing the largest EU footprint in the Indo-Pacific, with 93% of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and 1.5 million citizens in the region
- The EU, though not increasing its naval presence, is committed to maintaining current deployments and upholding a rules-based order.
- Converging Strategic Visions
- Both India and the EU uphold a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
- The exercise aligns with India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision and the EU Indo-Pacific Strategy.
- The Indian Navy is acknowledged as a trusted regional maritime actor by the EU.
Operational Milestones and Emerging Threats
- Recent Achievements (2024)
- Joint anti-piracy efforts led to the capture of 70 pirates, including:
- 44 captured by Indian Navy warships
- Joint operations with the Mauritius Police Force
- Demonstrates the growing efficiency and responsiveness of Indian and EU naval forces.
- Joint anti-piracy efforts led to the capture of 70 pirates, including:
- Continuing Challenges
- Although piracy incidents have declined, risks persist due to:
- Fragile political situations in East Africa
- The influence of non-state actors in maritime crime
- Vice Admiral Serrano affirmed that pirate threats can be countered within 48–72 hours, reflecting improved coordination and readiness.
- Although piracy incidents have declined, risks persist due to:
