Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni revealed a five-year strategic action plan to enhance cooperation across vital sectors such as defense, trade, energy, and space.
PM Modi with PM Meloni in Rio de Janeiro. (PTI)
The leaders introduced the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29 during their meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“Our talks centred around deepening ties in defence, security, trade and technology. We also talked about how to boost cooperation in culture, education and other such areas,” Modi wrote on X. “India-Italy friendship can greatly contribute to a better planet”.
Monday marked the fifth meeting between the two Prime Ministers over the past two years. Their most recent encounter was in June 2024 at the G7 Summit in Puglia, Italy. “Following up on their discussions in Puglia, the two leaders reiterated their commitment to advancing the India-Italy Strategic Partnership and announced a Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29 which outlines their vision for the next five years,” the Ministry of External Affairs said.
Key Highlights of the Action Plan
Defence
Conducting annual Joint Defence Consultative meetings and Joint Staff Talks to facilitate the exchange of information, visits, and training activities.
Engaging in initiatives aligned with Italy's increasing focus on the Indo-Pacific region, with the goal of enhancing interoperability and cooperation.
Identifying opportunities for strengthened partnerships and dialogue between public and private sectors, with an emphasis on technological collaboration.
Economic Cooperation
Fostering industrial collaborations, technology hubs, and reciprocal investments, particularly in automotive, semiconductors, infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing.
Connectivity
Strengthening cooperation in maritime and land infrastructure, particularly within the framework of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.
Science & Innovation
Strengthening collaboration on key and emerging technologies, building technology value chain partnerships in both countries across sectors like telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and digital service transformation.
Space
Enhancing collaboration between the Italian Space Agency and ISRO to encompass joint projects in Earth observation, heliophysics, and space exploration, with a focus on lunar science.
Migration and Mobility
Encourage legal migration pathways along with equitable and transparent processes for labor training and recruitment. A pilot program will focus on training healthcare professionals in India and facilitating their subsequent employment in Italy.
Energy Transition
Enhance the Global Biofuels Alliance and the International Solar Alliance.
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