Italy-India Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029

Context

At the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Giorgia Meloni unveiled the Italy-India Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029 to deepen bilateral ties across diverse sectors.

India-Italy Bilateral Relations

1. High-Level Interactions: Regular meetings between heads of government, foreign ministers, and trade ministers during bilateral and multilateral events.
2. Annual Consultations: Foreign office dialogues to enhance diplomatic relations.
3. Sectoral Partnerships: Ministerial engagements focused on specific areas of collaboration.

Key Areas of Cooperation

1. Economic Engagement:
   • Boost trade in transportation, green technologies, food processing, and sustainable manufacturing.
   • Strengthen industrial ties through joint ventures, trade fairs, and business forums.
2. Science and Technology:
   • Collaborate in AI, Industry 4.0, semiconductor manufacturing, and digital services.
3. Infrastructure Development:
   • Support the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) to cut transit times and costs by 40% and 30%, respectively.
4. Innovation and Start-ups:
   • Launch the Indo-Italian Innovation and Incubation Exchange Programme for fintech, agritech, and healthcare sectors.
5. Education and STEM Collaboration:
   • Offer scholarships and facilitate academic exchanges to strengthen research partnerships.
6. Space Cooperation:
   • Expand ISRO-ASI collaboration in lunar science, Earth observation, and space exploration, with a mission involving Italian space industry representatives in 2025.
7. Energy Transition:
   • Advance the Global Biofuels Alliance, International Solar Alliance, and projects in green hydrogen and renewable energy.
8. Defence and Security:
   • Focus on maritime security, co-development of defense technologies, and cyber security dialogues.
9. Migration and Mobility:
   • Facilitate safe migration, train Indian health professionals for employment in Italy, and enhance academic mobility.
10. Cultural and Tourism Exchange:
    • Promote mutual tourism, museum partnerships, and cultural exchanges under the 2023 Executive Programme of Cultural Cooperation.
11. Research and Development:
    • Host technology summits and encourage joint research in energy and advanced manufacturing technologies.

Significance of the 2025-2029 Plan

1. Economic Growth: Boosts trade and investment in green technologies, advanced manufacturing, and sustainable mobility.
2. SME and Start-up Collaboration: Encourages innovation by fostering partnerships between SMEs and large corporations.
3. Global Leadership: Strengthens support for multilateral initiatives like IMEC and the Global Biofuels Alliance.
4. Strategic Counterbalance: Promotes connectivity and cooperation as an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
5. Cultural and Diaspora Ties: Builds on historical relations, leveraging the contributions of Indian and Italian diaspora communities.
6. Existing Frameworks: Extends established programs like the 2023 Cultural Cooperation Executive Programme and Joint Working Groups.