Brief Context
In News Deputy Prime Minister of Italy Antonio Tajani, visited India to bolster bilateral cooperation between both the nations. More about the News Both the nations discussed how to boost cooperation in trade, defence, clean energy, and technology, focusing on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC). Focus should be on deepening India-Italy cooperation under the framework of Joint Strategic Action Plan (JSAP) 2025-29.
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Syllabus: GS2/ International Relations
In News
- Deputy Prime Minister of Italy Antonio Tajani, visited India to bolster bilateral cooperation between both the nations.
More about the News
- Both the nations discussed how to boost cooperation in trade, defence, clean energy, and technology, focusing on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC).
- Focus should be on deepening India-Italy cooperation under the framework of Joint Strategic Action Plan (JSAP) 2025-29.
India–Italy Relations
- Historical Connect: Italy’s port cities once served as crucial nodes on the ancient spice trade route, linking the East and the Mediterranean.
- The Venetian merchant Marco Polo’s 13th-century travels to India exemplify the long-standing civilizational contact between the two regions.
- Diplomatic Ties: India and Italy established diplomatic relations in 1947, founded on historical connections and shared cultural values.
- India and Italy elevated their Relations into Strategic Partnership in 2023.
- The Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–29 launched in 2024 between India and Italy marks a significant step towards deepening their bilateral relationship.
- Italy’s exit from China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2023—after being its only G7 signatory—resonates with India’s concerns over China’s growing footprint in Europe and the Indo-Pacific.
- Economic Cooperation: Bilateral trade stood at $13.220 billion in 2023–24, with Indian exports valued at $7.94 billion.
- Italy is India’s 4th largest trading partner in the EU and ranked 17th in FDI inflows into India between 2000 and 2023.
- Defence Cooperation: INS Sumedha participated in a PASSEX (Passing Exercise) with ITS Morosini off the coast of Sardinia in 2023.
- The Italian Navy participated in MILAN 2024, a multinational naval exercise hosted by India in 2024.
- Multilateral Convergence: Both nations support multilateralism, and Italy has joined key Indian-led initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA), Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA), and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC).
- Cultural Diplomacy: From yoga to Italian cuisine, the cultural exchanges between India and Italy create a unique bond.
- The Executive Programme on Cultural Cooperation for the term 2023-27 was signed in 2023.
- Indian Diaspora: The Indian community in Italy is estimated at 2 lakhs including Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs).
- The Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement (MMPA) was signed in 2023 to facilitate safe and legal migration of seasonal and non-seasonal workers, researchers, professionals and academicians.
Challenges
- Structural Trade Barriers: Non-tariff barriers, regulatory delays, and logistical constraints limit potential trade growth between both the nations.
- Italian Marines Case (2012): The case caused a diplomatic strain, with concerns over national sovereignty and legal jurisdiction impacting defence ties.
- Differing Policies on Military Sales: Italy has been selling military equipment to Pakistan which has created a perception of policy divergence in defence matters between the two countries.
Way Ahead
- Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–29: Focused execution of this roadmap can unlock potential in areas such as trade, innovation, education, defence and sustainability.
- Boost Innovation & Start-Up Linkages: Establish joint incubation centres and tech parks focusing on AI, green energy, biotech, and space.
- Streamline FDI procedures and regulatory frameworks to foster a more predictable, investor-friendly environment for Italian investments in India and Indian businesses in Italy.
- During Italy-India Business, Science and Technology Forum, Italy emphasised deepening cooperation in AI, supercomputing, defence, innovation, and space technology.
- India also underlined new areas of synergy in fashion, luxury goods, pharmaceuticals, food processing, green tech, tourism, and manufacturing.
Source: AIR