India and the European Union (EU) have signed a document on cooperation in security and defense. New Delhi expects that this will enable expanding joint defense cooperation, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.

This partnership will further strengthen cooperation in the fight against terrorism, cyber and maritime security. It will also confirm their shared commitment to the rules-based international order, it will enable to expand the scope of cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and create new opportunities for joint production of their defense companies, Modi said at a press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio da Costa, following their visit to New Delhi.

Modi said that in a world of instability, the EU-India partnership can be a stabilizing factor in the international system. Multilateral diplomacy and respect for international norms are their shared priorities. There comes a time in our bilateral relations when history itself says that it was a historic moment, a time when a new era begins. And today’s historic summit is that turning point, the Indian PM added.

India and the EU on Tuesday signed a political declaration on concluding negotiations on a free trade agreement. Modi said the agreement would not only boost mutual investment between India and the EU, but also strengthen supply chains globally. This is not just a trade agreement; this is a model of trade cooperation for shared prosperity, the Indian premier noted.

New Delhi and Brussels have been negotiating a free trade deal for nearly 20 years. The agreement has not yet been officially signed, as it must be agreed upon both within the EU and within India. The Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry informed that the signing could take place in six months, and the new trade system would then enter into force in 2027.