IndoMed security. India and the European Union will conduct a joint naval exercise from June 1 to 3, 2025, in the Indian Ocean, marking a new chapter in maritime security cooperation.
- Italy’s frigate Antonio Marceglia and Spain’s Reina Sofía, from Operation EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, will train alongside Indian Navy vessels in advanced counter-piracy operations, tactical manoeuvres, and communication protocols.
- Italy, through its naval assets and diplomatic engagement, is positioning itself as a pivotal European actor in this evolving theatre.
Decoding the news. The exercise highlights the EU’s increasing strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific—but more significantly, it reflects India’s emergence as the key security provider in the broader Indo-Mediterranean space.
- The drill follows high-level diplomatic activity, including the February visit of the European Commission to India and the March EU-India Maritime Security Dialogue.
- Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano, head of Operation ATALANTA, visited India in April to deepen operational ties.
- Italy’s Antonio Marceglia is leading the EU naval presence, reinforcing Rome’s forward-leaning Indo-Med posture.
Italy’s angle. Italy has been a consistent contributor to Operation ATALANTA and a strong advocate for maritime cooperation with India.
- Rome views New Delhi as a key partner in securing vital sea lines of communication stretching from the Western Indian Ocean to the Eastern Mediterranean.
- The exercise highlights Italy’s broader Indo-Mediterranean strategy, which combines a military presence, diplomatic outreach, and infrastructure initiatives.
What’s in the Indian Ocean. Before deepening ties with Europe, India had already enhanced interoperability with African partners, conducting joint drills like Exercise Aikeyme.
- This sequencing reinforces India’s vision of the Indo-Mediterranean as a single, connected strategic space—and Italy has been quick to adapt to this reality.
What we’re watching. The growing cooperation between India and Europe—anchored by Italian leadership—could evolve into a more permanent security framework for the Indo-Mediterranean, especially as projects like the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) move forward.
- A key moment will be the upcoming IMEC meeting hosted by Italy in Trieste, which may prove decisive for the future of the corridor—built on one fundamental awareness: without (maritime) security, it cannot exist.
