BRUSSELS

The EU and India took a step forward in strengthening their partnership on cyber security, defense, and space during the inaugural EU-India Strategic Dialogue held in Brussels on Tuesday.

Speaking at a news conference with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the two sides are “natural partners,” jointly representing a quarter of the world's population and GDP.

"By working together, we have great potential to make a global impact," she said, adding that the dialogue sets the foundation for closer cooperation on key issues such as cybersecurity, defense, and space.

Kallas stressed the EU's support for continued talks between India and Pakistan to ease regional tensions, saying: "No one stands to gain from renewed conflicts in the region."

On space cooperation, she noted that the EU and India already share Earth observation satellite data. A new formal dialogue on space issues, including satellite navigation and security, will begin with a first session scheduled for autumn.

In response to an Anadolu question about a civilian aid flotilla seized by Israeli forces, which included 9 EU citizens, among them MEP Rima Hassan, Kallas emphasized the importance of advancing international maritime law and stated that protecting EU citizens is "the responsibility of EU member states."

Earlier, the Indian foreign minister also met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.