India Italy Relations, Area of Cooperation and Significance

Context:

• Italy and India share mutual interests and face common challenges in the Indo-Mediterranean Sea, which is crucial for global trade.
• The challenges include piracy in the Red Sea, the conflict in the Middle East, and the effects of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine on agricultural and oil trade.

Italy’s Security And Defence Presence In The Indian Ocean Region And West Asia

• Italy joined the Group of Friends of UNCLOS in 2021 and has been the second-largest contributor to:
  • European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Atalanta.
  • European Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz (EMASoH).
• Italy has played a key role in the EU military operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, aimed at safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and Gulf.
• Italy is significant for India’s defence production, with companies like Leonardo and Fincantieri ranking among the top 50 arms producers globally (2022).

India and Italy Ties

• Naval Presence in India: Italy has increased its naval presence in India:
  • Joined the Information Fusion Centre of the Indian Ocean Region in 2023.
  • The patrol ship ITS Francesco Morosini visited Mumbai in 2023.
  • The Italian Carrier Strike Group, including the aircraft carrier ITS Cavour and frigate ITS Alpino, is currently stationed in Goa.
  • The tall ship ITS Amerigo Vespucci, the Italian Navy’s training vessel, is expected in Mumbai this year.
• Defence Ties: A defence agreement signed in 2023 that aimed at expanding ties in research, industrial cooperation, maritime domain awareness, information sharing, education, and environmental issues related to military activities.
  • Regular talks, such as the Italy-India Military Cooperation Group meeting held in New Delhi, further strengthen defence collaboration.
  • Italian defence firms have expressed interest in joint ventures, co-production, and joint development, aligning with India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.
  • Example:
    • Fincantieri has been collaborating with Cochin Shipyard since 2020.
    • Elettronica signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Bharat Electronics Limited in 2019.
• Development of the Indian Ocean Region: Italy views India as a key partner for development throughout the Indian Ocean Region.
  • Both countries advocate for African development in international forums, having supported the African Union’s inclusion in the G20.
  • Italy’s Mattei Plan, launched at the Italy-Africa Summit in January 2024, aims to mobilise €5.5 billion for sustainable projects across Africa, focusing on countries adjacent to the Indo-Mediterranean area such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Mozambique
• Support for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC):
  • Italy supports the IMEC initiative, viewing it as a long-term strategy to promote shared prosperity amid ongoing conflicts in Gaza and escalating tensions in West Asia.
  • The initiative emphasises the importance of railway connections, ports, logistics, and customs systems in facilitating trade and peace efforts beneficial for both Italy and India.
• People-to-People Ties:
  • Italy hosts the second-largest Indian diaspora in the EU.
  • Italy is the second largest manufacturing country in Europe and a robust security provider as a member of the EU and NATO.
  • The enduring people-to-people connections stem from a long history of interactions between the two civilizations, continually enriched by cultural exchanges and business successes.
  • Plans to establish an ‘Italy village’ in Mumbai will showcase cultural, fashion, culinary events, conferences, and exhibitions.

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