On November 18, 2024, during the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni unveiled the Italy-India Joint Strategic Action Plan for 2025-2029. Aimed at strengthening their bilateral partnership, the comprehensive plan outlines key areas for collaboration, focusing on political, economic, technological, and cultural ties.
Key Focus Areas of the Joint Action Plan
1. Political Dialogue:
Both nations committed to regular high-level meetings between heads of government, ministers, and senior officials, enhancing diplomatic engagement. Annual bilateral consultations between foreign ministries and intensified cooperation across various sectors will be maintained.
2. Economic Cooperation and Investments:
Efforts will be directed at expanding bilateral trade and investment, particularly in high-potential sectors such as food processing, transportation, and green technologies. Industrial partnerships, participation in trade fairs, and mutual investments in fields like automotive and semiconductors will be encouraged.
3. Connectivity:
Italy and India will collaborate on sustainable transport and infrastructure projects, emphasising environmental sustainability and climate action. The countries will also work to strengthen connectivity under the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor framework.
4. Science, Technology, IT, Innovation, and Start-ups:
The plan emphasises cooperation in emerging technologies, advanced manufacturing, and clean energy. Initiatives include the Indo-Italian Innovation and Incubation Exchange Programme and increased academic and research collaborations in STEM fields. Start-ups in areas like fintech, agritech, and green energy will also receive focused attention.
5. Space Sector:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) will expand joint projects in Earth observation, heliophysics, and lunar science. Commercial space collaboration and a delegation visit from Italy’s space industry are also planned.
6. Energy Transition:
The nations will promote renewable energy cooperation, joint R&D, and collaboration in biofuels and green hydrogen. Efforts to strengthen the Global Biofuels Alliance and the International Solar Alliance are also on the agenda.
7. Defence Cooperation:
Regular defence consultations and maritime cooperation will be a priority, with plans for a Defence Industrial Roadmap and technology collaboration between public and private stakeholders. Enhanced interoperability between armed forces in the Indo-Pacific region is also envisioned.
8. Security Cooperation:
The plan includes boosting security collaboration through capacity building, cybersecurity measures, and information exchange. Annual meetings of the Joint Working Group on combating terrorism and transnational crime will continue, alongside measures to strengthen judicial and police cooperation.
9. Migration and Mobility:
Facilitating legal migration and countering irregular migration will be the focus. Initiatives such as a pilot project for training Indian healthcare professionals for employment in Italy and agreements to enhance student and academic mobility are in progress.
10. Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges:
The two nations will deepen cultural ties through university collaborations, film co-productions, and preservation of heritage sites. Initiatives to boost tourism and acknowledge contributions from the Indian and Italian communities will also be supported.