Maiden Visit of EUNAVFOR Ships to India Strengthens Maritime Cooperation
Mumbai: The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) ships, ESPS Reina Sofia and ITS Antonio Marceglia, have arrived in Mumbai for a five-day visit, marking the first-ever such visit to India under the aegis of the European Union. The visit aims to enhance maritime cooperation between India and the EU, reflecting their shared commitment to international peace and security.
The EUNAVFOR ships, commanded by Cdr Salvador Moreno Regil and Cdr Alberto Bartolomeo, respectively, are in Mumbai from May 26 to June 1, 2025, for an operational turnaround. During their stay, the ships engaged in a Table Top Exercise (TTX) with the Indian Navy, focusing on refining key issues necessary for tactical-level cooperation at sea.
The visit follows discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and EU President Ursula von der Leyen, highlighting their shared commitment to international peace and security. The Indian Navy and EUNAVFOR have agreed to extend cooperation in the military domain, expanding avenues for collaboration.
Rear Admiral Davide Da Pozzo, Force Commander, Op Atalanta, led the EUNAVFOR side in interactions with Rear Admiral Vidyadhar Harke VSM, Chief Staff Officer (Operations), Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy. Both sides discussed matters related to furthering maritime cooperation and agreed on the need for extended cooperation in the military domain.
A joint exercise between the Indian Navy and EUNAVFOR is planned post-departure of the ships from Mumbai, aimed at enhancing interoperability and enabling seamless operations to combat non-traditional threats in the Indian Ocean Region. The exercise will see participation by ESPS Reina Sofia and ITS Antonio Marceglia from EUNAVFOR and ships and aircraft from the Indian Navy.
Both India and the EU share a strong commitment to rules-based maritime order, allowing for free and open use of international waters while respecting the territorial integrity of littoral states. The current visit embodies the shared interest of safeguarding legitimate trade and countering non-traditional threats such as piracy, smuggling, and Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The maritime engagements between India and the EU will further strengthen their increasing multi-domain cooperation, with a common aim of progressing shared interests. The visit marks a significant step in the India-EU partnership, solidifying their commitment to cooperation and mutual understanding in maritime security.
