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