Whether due to the wealth of its natural resources, the centrality of its sea lines of communication for trade, or its propensity for conflict and natural calamities, the Indian Ocean is critical for the future of Europe and India.
Despite this evidence, cooperation between the European Union and India is still weak because of biased perceptions about the role and strategy of each.
Against the background of a more assertive and powerful China and a changing security architecture, the EU and India now face an opportunity to update mutual perceptions by aligning their initiatives, which are far more congruent and complementary than usually expected.
This article advocates strategic cooperation in military and civil matters between the European Union and India, particularly in the maritime domain (joint exercises and training, maritime situational awareness, etc.).