Context: Recently, India’s External Affairs Minister met Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister in New Delhi. They reviewed bilateral cooperation in a range of areas, including defence, trade and investment and energy. A collective resolve was taken to implement the Joint Strategic Action plan 2025-29 launched by the Indian Prime Minister and Italian Prime Minister in 2024.
🇮🇳🤝🇮🇹 India-Italy Joint Strategic Plan of Action (2025–2029)
Unveiled during the G20 Summit in Brazil (November 2024)
A comprehensive roadmap to deepen the strategic partnership between India and Italy and deliver tangible benefits across sectors.
🔑 Highlights of the Joint Strategic Action Plan
🏛️ Political Dialogue
Regular high-level meetings and reciprocal visits by Heads of Government.
Annual bilateral consultations between foreign ministries to align on mutual interests and strengthen ties.
💼 Economic Cooperation
Boosting trade and investment in:
Green technologies
Pharmaceuticals
Food processing
Agriculture
Advanced manufacturing
Enhancing industrial partnerships through the Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation.
🚢 Connectivity
Collaboration on sustainable transport and maritime infrastructure.
Active role in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) to improve regional and intercontinental connectivity.
💻 Science, Technology & IT
Focus areas include:
AI, telecommunications, digital services
Industry 4.0, clean energy, critical minerals
Launch of the Indo-Italian Innovation & Incubation Exchange Program for academic and industrial collaboration.
🛰️ Space Sector
Strengthening cooperation between ISRO and Italian Space Agency (ASI) in:
Earth observation
Heliophysics
Lunar exploration
Commercial space ventures
⚡ Energy Transition
Joint promotion of:
Green hydrogen and biofuels
Global clean energy initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and Global Biofuels Alliance
🛡️ Defence Cooperation
Emphasis on co-production of military equipment
Enhancing security collaboration to tackle regional and global challenges
🇮🇳🤝🇮🇹 India-Italy Relations: An Overview
🌍 Economic & People-to-People Ties
Trade Growth:
• Bilateral trade has doubled since 2020, reaching €15 billion in FY2023–24.Diaspora:
• Over 2 lakh Indians are currently living, working, and studying in Italy, making it the largest Indian community in the EU.
🌐 Multilateral Cooperation
Italy actively participates in India-led global initiatives, including:
• Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)
• Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)
• International Solar Alliance (ISA)
🇺🇳 Strategic & Diplomatic Support
Italy is a member of the Coffee Club — a group of nations advocating for reform of the UN Security Council.
Potential to support India’s candidature for a permanent seat at the UNSC in the future.