India, Jan. 23 -- The India-European Union Summit next week will be an opportunity for the two sides to take on a leadership role in strengthening global security and the rules-based order amid pressing geopolitical challenges through the conclusion of negotiations on a trade deal and a Security and Defence Partnership, EU officials said on Friday.

The Security and Defence Partnership, to be signed by EU foreign and security policy chief Kaja Kallas and defence minister Rajnath Singh on January 27, will support collaboration between authorities and defence industries on both sides, and strengthen cooperation in mounting maritime security operations and tackling hybrid threats, the officials said.

A memorandum of understanding to be sign...