Introduction
In a significant development, the Union Cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Ministry of External Affairs' proposal to sign and ratify the Migration and Mobility Agreement between India and Italy. This agreement, a testament to the 'Melodi' era symbolizing the collaboration between PM Modi and Italy's Giorgia Meloni, is poised to bolster ties between the two nations. The pact, spanning five years and automatically renewable, encompasses provisions for post-study opportunities, internships, and professional training within the existing Italian visa framework.
"Exchange of Agreements & Press Statements" by MEAphotogallery is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
India-Italy Migration and Mobility Agreement
The India-Italy pact on migration and mobility is set to remain in force for five years, with automatic renewal for a similar successive period unless terminated by any participant. This comprehensive agreement includes mechanisms for post-study opportunities, internships, and professional training, aligning with the existing Italian visa regime and providing advantages for India under the Flows Decree.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Italy's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani formally signed the agreement on November 2 during Jaishankar's visit to Portugal and Italy. Italy, hosting the third-largest Indian community in Europe, with a population of 180,000, has played a crucial role in fostering diplomatic and economic relations.
Provisions of the Agreement
The agreement aims to enhance people-to-people contacts, fostering the mobility of students, skilled workers, business professionals, and young talents between India and Italy. Notable provisions include opportunities for Indian students who have completed academic or vocational training in Italy to gain temporary residence for up to 12 months. Additionally, the pact outlines specific provisions for professional training, extracurricular internships, and curricular internships aligned with Italian skill and training standards.
Italy has reserved quotas for both non-seasonal and seasonal Indian workers from 2023 to 2025 under the current Flows Decree. The reserved quotas show incremental increases over the years, offering avenues for professional development and labor mobility. The agreement formalizes joint working on enhancing mobility pathways between the two countries, including agreements on Youth Mobility and Facilitation of Recruitment of Indian qualified professionals in the healthcare and medical services sectors. The Joint Working Group (JWG) will discuss and deliberate on these matters.
Moreover, the agreement solidifies cooperation between India and Italy in combating irregular migration, establishing a formal mechanism for monitoring through a periodically convening JWG. This group will evaluate the implementation of the agreement, share relevant information, and discuss proposals to support implementation as necessary.
Indian Students and Workers' Opportunities
The agreement presents significant opportunities for Indian students and workers. Indian students completing academic or vocational training in Italy can gain valuable professional experience with the provision of temporary residence for up to 12 months. This not only promotes educational and cultural exchange but also contributes to the skill development of Indian youth.
Under the Flows Decree, Italy has reserved quotas for both non-seasonal and seasonal Indian workers, showcasing a commitment to facilitating the movement of skilled labor between the two countries. The incremental increase in reserved quotas from 2023 to 2025 demonstrates a forward-looking approach to addressing the evolving needs of the labor market.
India-Italy Bilateral Relations in the 'Melodi' Period
Bilateral relations between India and Italy have witnessed a positive trajectory under the leadership of PM Modi and Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni. Since Meloni's visit to India in March, the relationship has flourished, culminating in the elevation of bilateral ties to a strategic partnership in the same month.
The two leaders have met on several occasions, including the high-level G20 Summit in September in New Delhi and the COP28 Summit in Dubai last month. A notable interaction was captured in a selfie shared by Giorgia Meloni on her Instagram and X handle, with the caption "Good friends at COP28," accompanied by the hashtag '#Melodi'.
The flourishing of bilateral relations can be traced back to the India-Italy summit in 2020, where 15 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed, covering areas such as energy, media, and finance. Meloni has expressed her commitment to further strengthen the relationship, particularly focusing on areas like renewable energy, defense, hydrogen, IT, telecom, semiconductors, and space.
Union Cabinet's Key Decisions
Apart from the India-Italy Migration and Mobility Agreement, the Union Cabinet made several other significant decisions:
Infrastructure Projects Approval: The Cabinet Committee for Economic Affairs (CCEA) greenlit major infrastructure projects in Tripura and Bihar, including road improvement and widening in Tripura and the construction of a 6-lane high-level bridge across the Ganga River in Bihar.
Consulate General Opening and Broadcasting Collaboration: The Cabinet sanctioned the establishment of a Consulate General of India in Auckland, New Zealand, aiming to bolster strategic and commercial interests while enhancing services for the Indian community. Additionally, the Cabinet approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Prasar Bharati and Radio Televisyen Malaysia to strengthen cooperation in public broadcasting.
Minimum Support Prices for Copra: The Cabinet approved increased Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for copra for the 2024 season, marking a raise of Rs. 300/- per quintal for milling copra and Rs. 250/- per quintal for ball copra compared to the previous season.
Road Infrastructure and New Ganga Bridge: Approval was granted for road improvement and widening along NH-208 in Tripura and for the construction of a 4.56 kilometers long, six-lane bridge across the Ganga River in Bihar.
Conclusion
The approval of the India-Italy Migration and Mobility Agreement underscores the commitment of both nations to fostering enhanced people-to-people contacts, promoting mobility, and addressing issues related to irregular migration. The 'Melodi' era, characterized by the positive momentum in bilateral relations between India and Italy, reflects a shared vision for mutual growth and collaboration across various sectors. As both countries move forward, the agreement paves the way for increased cooperation in education, skilled labor mobility, and joint efforts to combat challenges associated with irregular migration, further solidifying the bonds between the two nations.
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