EU Ready to Ink Defence and Security Pact with India Amid Global Challenges

• The European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, announced readiness to sign a defence and security pact with India.
• The announcement was made to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, ahead of an EU-India summit in Delhi next week.
• The pact aims to deepen cooperation in maritime security, cybersecurity, and counter-terrorism.
• This move comes as both the EU and India face economic and security challenges from China and the United States.
• The EU and India are also working on a free trade agreement and a mobility deal to facilitate movement of professionals and students.

Why It Matters: The EU and India are set to strengthen ties with a new defence pact and trade agreements.