Italy-India Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029: A Vision for Strategic Partnership

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• India-Italy bilateral relation
• Key Highlights of Italy-India Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029

Why in News?

India and Italy outlined their vision for deepening bilateral cooperation in the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29. The document covers various key sectors, including defence, trade, energy and space.

This Action Plan was issued after a meeting between PM Modi and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of G20 summit in Brazil.

India-Italy bilateral relation

• Political Relation
  • Political relations between India and Italy were established in 1947.
  • In November 2020, during a Virtual Summit between PMs of India and Italy, 2020-2025 Action Plan was adopted.
  • PM Modi paid his first official visit to Italy in October 2021 to attend the G20 Summit.
  • During this visit, a Joint Statement announcing a Strategic Partnership on Energy Transition was issued.
  • In March 2023, PM of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, paid a State visit to India. She was also the Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker at the 8th Raisina Dialogue, 2023.
    • During this visit, India and Italy announced the elevation of the bilateral relationship to the level of strategic partnership.
• Economic Relation
  • In 2023, bilateral trade between India and Italy amounted to €14.34 billion. 
    • India's exports to Italy were €9.16 billion, while imports from Italy stood at €5.18 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of €3.98 billion in India’s favor.
  • Italy is India's 4th largest trading partner in EU, after Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. 
  • Italy is the 18th largest foreign investor in India with a cumulative FDI inflow of USD 3.53 billion from January 2000 to December 2023.
    • Indian investment in Italy is estimated around USD 400 mn.
• Defence
  • India has a huge "footprint" on Italian soil because of the supreme sacrifice made by Indian Soldiers during the Second world war and for the sake of freedom in Italy. 
    • By 1945, a total of 5782 Indian soldiers died in Italy with as many as six of them receiving the VICTORIA CROSS.
  • In February 2023, Italy deployed an official from its Embassy to the Information Fusion Center – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) to strengthen maritime security and support anti-piracy efforts in the Indian Ocean Region.
  • India and Italy are also exploring joint productions in defence and aerospace sectors as well as technology transfers.
  • India and Italy also have a Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism.
• Energy cooperation
  • In 2021, the two countries inked a Strategic Partnership on Energy Transition to advance collaboration on areas like green hydrogen and bio-fuels.
• Cooperation in Science and Technology
  • The first India-Italy Innovation Day was held virtually on 14th July 2021. Since then, both the countries are celebrating this event every year.
• Indian Community
  • The Indian community in Italy (estimated at 180,000 including PIOs) is the third largest community of Indians in Europe after UK and the Netherlands.

Key Highlights of Italy-India Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029

• Political Dialogue
  • Regular meetings between Heads of Government, Foreign, Trade, and Defence Ministers.
  • Annual bilateral consultations between the two Foreign Ministries.
  • Intensify ministerial-level meetings to enhance sectoral cooperation.
• Economic Cooperation and Investments
  • Strengthen bilateral trade, investment, and joint ventures in high-potential sectors (e.g., green technologies, sustainable mobility, food processing, semiconductors).
  • Promote trade fairs, business forums, and industrial partnerships.
  • Advance collaboration in automotive, infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing.
• Connectivity
  • Collaborate on sustainable transport and climate action.
  • Enhance maritime and land infrastructure cooperation, including the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.
  • Finalize a maritime and port cooperation agreement.
• Science, Technology, IT, Innovation, and Start-ups
  • Expand partnerships in critical technologies like AI, telecom, and digital services.
  • Explore Industry 4.0, clean energy, and critical minerals initiatives involving academia and SMEs.
  • Enhance STEM research collaborations, scholarships, and joint projects.
  • Launch the Indo-Italian Innovation and Incubation Exchange Programme.
• Space Sector
  • Expand ASI-ISRO collaboration on Earth observation, heliophysics, and lunar exploration.
  • Promote peaceful outer space usage and commercial space partnerships.
  • Organize an Italian space delegation visit to India by mid-2025.
• Energy Transition
  • Organize "Tech Summits" to foster industrial partnerships.
  • Collaborate on green hydrogen, biofuels, and renewable energy solutions.
  • Support the Global Biofuels Alliance and International Solar Alliance.
• Defence Cooperation
  • Hold annual Joint Defence Consultative meetings and Joint Staff Talks.
  • Enhance interoperability and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
  • Develop a Defence Industrial Roadmap and MoU between SIDM and AIAD.
  • Focus on maritime cooperation and defence research.
• Security Cooperation
  • Enhance cybersecurity, counterterrorism, and capacity-building efforts.
  • Hold yearly Joint Working Group meetings on international terrorism and crime.
  • Share best practices and conclude agreements on classified information protection.
• Migration and Mobility
  • Promote safe migration channels and labour training, with a pilot project for health professionals.
  • Enhance student, researcher, and academic mobility.
  • Counter irregular migration effectively.
• Culture, Academia, Cinema, and Tourism
  • Foster exchanges between universities and technical education institutions.
  • Collaborate on exhibitions, heritage preservation, and restoration projects.
  • Promote film co-productions and enhance tourism.
  • Strengthen cultural bonds and implement the 2023 Executive Programme of Cultural Cooperation.

Q.1. What are the key areas of focus in the Italy-India Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029?

The action plan emphasizes cooperation in defence, trade, renewable energy, space, and technology, alongside cultural and academic exchanges to deepen bilateral ties and drive sustainable growth.

Q.2. How does the action plan strengthen economic ties between India and Italy?

It promotes trade, joint ventures, and investments in green technologies, infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing, supported by industrial partnerships and regular trade forums.

News: Defence to space, India & Italy announce 5-year action plan | MEA | Embassy of India in Rome