Why in News?
- India and Italy have reaffirmed their commitment to deepen bilateral relations through enhanced cooperation in trade, defence, clean energy, high technology, and strategic infrastructure.
- A key outcome of the visit by Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani was the emphasis on implementing the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) and Joint Strategic Action Plan (JSAP) 2025-29.
What’s in Today’s Article?
- High-Level Diplomatic Engagement
- India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan (JSAP) 2025-29
- IMEEC - A Strategic Connectivity Project
- India-Italy Relations - A Brief Overview
- Conclusion - A Vision for the Future
High-Level Diplomatic Engagement:
- Tajani’s visit to India:
- Held delegation-level talks with External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar.
- Reviewed progress under the Joint Strategic Action Plan (JSAP) 2025-29.
- Focus areas of discussion:
- Trade and investment
- Defence and security
- Clean energy transition
- Space, science, and technology cooperation
- People-to-people ties
- Geopolitical and strategic convergence:
- Regional and global issues discussed:
- Indo-Pacific regional dynamics.
- Global South
- Multilateral cooperation (possibly including G20 and UN reform).
- Italy’s focus on the Indo-Pacific:
- Reiterated support for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
- Reinforces India’s Act East and Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) strategies.
India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan (JSAP) 2025-29:
- Launched by: Announced during PM Narendra Modi and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni’s meeting in Rio de Janeiro (November 2023, on the sidelines of G20 Summit).
- Aim: To guide bilateral ties across multiple strategic sectors.
- Key sectors highlighted:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Cybersecurity and digital technologies
- Renewable energy and biofuels
- Education and professional mobility
- Telecom and biotechnology
- Strategic outcomes expected:
- Concrete deliverables in technology transfer, innovation, and youth engagement.
- Institutional mechanisms for regular dialogue and joint implementation.
IMEEC - A Strategic Connectivity Project:
- What is IMEEC?
- India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) aims to connect India with Europe through the Middle East via a multimodal transport network.
- Enhances regional connectivity, economic integration, and energy security.
- India and Italy’s role:
- Renewed commitment to advance IMEEC implementation.
- Italy appoints a special envoy for IMEEC, showcasing seriousness and proactive engagement.
India-Italy Relations - A Brief Overview:
- Historical background:
- Diplomatic relations established in 1947.
- Rooted in strong cultural ties and cooperation in art, architecture, and education.
- Diplomatic relations:
- Strategic Partnership announced in March 2023 during Italian PM Meloni’s visit to India.
- Frequent high-level exchanges and bilateral institutional frameworks.
- Economic ties:
- Italy is India’s 4th largest trading partner in the EU.
- Key sectors: Machinery, automotive, chemicals, fashion, and renewable energy.
- Bilateral trade (2023-24): Over $15 billion (approx).
- People-to-people ties:
- Indian diaspora in Italy: ~200,000
- Cooperation in education, academic exchanges, and cultural diplomacy.
- Recent developments:
- Signing of JSAP (2025–29).
- Italy’s inclusion in IMEEC.
- Expanding defence industrial cooperation and joint ventures.
Conclusion - A Vision for the Future:
- India and Italy’s evolving partnership is anchored in mutual strategic interests and shared democratic values.
- The JSAP 2025–29 and the IMEEC initiative are set to redefine bilateral engagement with long-term benefits in connectivity, energy security, innovation, and global diplomacy.
- As global geopolitics shifts towards multipolarity, the India-Italy partnership can serve as a model for resilient, sustainable, and forward-looking international collaboration.
