North News
New Delhi, November 19
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to enhance bilateral ties across key sectors, including defense, trade, technology, and culture. The leaders unveiled a detailed joint plan of strategic action to strengthen the India-Italy partnership, highlighting its potential to contribute to global peace, innovation, and sustainability.
The plan encompasses ten focus areas with time-bound initiatives. Under political dialogue, both sides agreed to maintain regular interactions between heads of government and ministers, alongside annual bilateral consultations between their foreign ministries. Economic cooperation will focus on increasing bilateral trade, investment, and market access in high-potential sectors such as transportation, green technologies, and food processing.
Connectivity initiatives include collaboration on sustainable transport and maritime infrastructure, with specific emphasis on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC). Both countries pledged to deepen scientific and technological cooperation, particularly in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and clean energy. A new Indo-Italian Innovation and Incubation Exchange Program will also foster collaboration between start-ups and academia.
In the space sector, India’s ISRO and Italy’s ASI plan to expand joint projects in earth observation, lunar science, and space exploration. Both nations agreed to advance mutual commercial space partnerships and organize a space industry delegation to India by mid-2025. Energy transition efforts will focus on joint R&D and renewable energy technologies, including green hydrogen and biofuels, to further climate resilience.
Defense cooperation will include yearly joint consultations, defense industrial roadmaps, and enhanced maritime collaboration. Security cooperation will expand through joint efforts to combat cybercrime, terrorism, and transnational crime. Both nations also committed to agreements on the mutual protection of classified information.
Migration and mobility initiatives aim to create legal migration channels and increase the mobility of students and researchers. A pilot project will train health professionals in India for employment in Italy. Cultural ties will be bolstered through university partnerships, film co-productions, and joint heritage preservation efforts.
“India and Italy’s partnership holds unparalleled potential,” said Prime Minister Modi, emphasizing its role in addressing global challenges. Prime Minister Meloni echoed the sentiment, noting that the roadmap underscores the shared commitment to fostering innovation and sustainable development.
The leaders reaffirmed their intent to operationalize the plan swiftly, reflecting the growing strategic importance of India-Italy relations.
