India, May 29 -- India and the European Union (EU) will conduct a three-day joint naval exercise in the Indian Ocean, reflecting the growing security cooperation between the two sides.

The joint exercise, scheduled for June 1-3, will involve Indian Navy warships and two frigates, one from Italy and another from Spain, deployed with the European Union Naval Force's Operation Atalanta in the Indian Ocean.

"The joint exercise will focus on advanced counter-piracy operations, interoperability, tactical manoeuvres, and enhanced communication protocols, reflecting the growing maritime security cooperation between the two sides," the EU said in a statement on Thursday.

Naval cooperation between the EU and India has expanded in recent years th...