In a landmark event symbolizing the growing strategic partnership between India and the European Union, two European naval ships—ESPS Reina Sofia from Spain and ITS Antonio Marceglia from Italy—concluded their operational turnaround in Mumbai today. The week-long visit, from May 26 to June 1, was conducted under the banner of the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR), marking the first such deployment to India and underscoring the EU’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific region.
The ships, commanded respectively by Commander Salvador Moreno Regil and Commander Alberto Bartolomeo, are part of Operation Atalanta, the EU’s long-running maritime security initiative focused on counter-piracy and safe navigation. Their presence in Mumbai follows high-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen earlier this year, where both sides agreed to expand defense and maritime cooperation. During the February 2025 meeting, von der Leyen described India as “a pillar of certainty in an increasingly uncertain world,” emphasizing the EU’s intention to deepen strategic ties with India.
The port visit featured ceremonial events, cultural exchanges, and professional interactions between the Indian Navy and visiting European personnel. Images from the engagements depicted a strong sense of camaraderie, with Indian and European officers standing side by side on ship decks, their national flags and the EU emblem displayed prominently. Another highlight was a traditional indoor gathering around a ship’s wheel, where portraits of naval leaders and maritime symbols reflected the shared heritage of naval professionalism.
This naval visit forms part of India’s broader Indo-Pacific strategy, which aims to secure maritime lanes, counter illicit activities, and strengthen regional partnerships amid growing Chinese influence. A March 2025 report by Modern Diplomacy noted India’s strategic shift toward light carrier groups (LCAGs) and an emphasis on maritime domain awareness. The EU’s formal participation in India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, discussed during the Modi–von der Leyen summit, aligns with these objectives and is seen as a step toward deeper regional integration.
The visit to Mumbai also builds on a wider pattern of global maritime collaboration. ITS Antonio Marceglia had earlier taken part in the Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK) in Bali in February 2025, where navies from 38 countries, including India, participated in joint drills and humanitarian missions, ranging from beach cleanups to mangrove planting. Such exercises reflect the increasing role of naval forces in not just security, but also environmental stewardship and regional stability.
Looking ahead, the successful conclusion of this visit paves the way for expanded India-EU maritime cooperation. Potential initiatives include joint naval exercises, coordinated patrols in key sea lanes, and collaborative frameworks for information sharing. These efforts could significantly contribute to a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific, as highlighted by a 2024 report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on U.S.-India maritime security coordination.
With India and the EU also targeting the conclusion of a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement by the end of 2025, the maritime domain is poised to become a central pillar of their strategic relationship. The shared commitment to a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific underscores the geopolitical importance of such naval engagements, setting a strong precedent for future collaboration.
