India-Italy ties enter new phase as special strategic partnership takes shape: Report

As Brussels moves the trade agreement between India and the European Union EU towards signature India and Italy are entering a more demanding phase of their ties with John Cabot University recently launching the first Track 15 dialogue to analyse how the ties between the two nations have changed over the years according to a reportWhile the EU is accelerating engagement with India the bilateral ties between Rome and New Delhi have been changing rapidly in recent years according to a report in Decode39India and Italy established a Strategic Partnership in 2023 adopted a Joint Strategic Action Plan for 2025ndash2029 in 2024 and elevated ties to a Special Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Italy in May Under the new framework the Foreign Ministersled mechanism will monitor implementation of the Action Plan and provide strategic guidance to the relationshipRecently the first ItalyndashIndia Track 15 Dialogue was organised by the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs at John Cabot University JCU in Rome Indias Ambassador to Italy Vani Rao attended the events public programme The discussion was held under the Chatham House Rule and analysed how the ties between India and Italy have changed over the years as the two countries are set to mark the 80th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2027The event highlighted an economic relationship between India and Italy whose potential is more than the infrastructure that backs it Financial institutions can play a greater role in facilitating commerce between India and Italy while nontariff barriers and regulatory divergence continue to obstruct deeper integration between the two nations according to the Decode39 reportA similar transition between India and Italy is taking place in the defence sector Defence cooperation between India and Italy now encompasses personnel exchanges procurement research and development and industrial partnerships The two nations also engage in naval visits and training activitiesItaly and India are on opposite sides of a maritime system linking the IndoPacific the Middle East and Europe and protecting the routes running through this space is an economic and security interest IndiandashMiddle EastndashEurope Economic Corridor IMEC becomes relevant in this frameworkThe IMEC for Italy provides a geographic link between its growing engagement in the IndoPacific and its traditional Mediterranean projection while it offers India another way to strengthen ties with European markets through the Gulf and the MediterraneanThe 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the year dedicated to cultural tourism both in 2027 will offer an opportunity to broaden these foundations further The Guarini Institute intends to build on the first Track 15 dialogue with a larger initiative at John Cabot University next year Emanuele Rossi wrote in the Decode39 reportThe point however extends beyond commemoration with a Special Strategic Partnership an Action Plan running through 2029 a euro20 billion trade target growing defence cooperation the European FTA and IMEC in the background the challenge is now to turn this architecture into results Eighty years after diplomatic relations began Rome and New Delhi no longer need simply to reaffirm their desire for closer friendship they need to define what in practice a Special Strategic Partnership can deliver the author addedOn September 17 Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wished PM Modi on his 76th birthday saying that both nations continue to strengthen their deep bond of friendship and build together a future of cooperation and prosperityIn response PM Modi thanked PM Meloni for her warm wishes and noted that he looks forward to close cooperation between India and ItalyEarlier this month PM Modi congratulated Meloni on becoming the longestserving Prime Minister in Italys postwar history and wished her continued success in the years ahead He appreciated her efforts in strengthening the Special Strategic Partnership between the two nationsMeloni thanking PM Modi said that the ties between the two nations are right now stronger than ever before while the Special Strategic Partnership that we launched during our last meeting is the recognition of the importance of this bond and of the will to unite the expertise of our Nations to create new opportunities for growth seizing the extraordinary opportunities for collaboration that we have before usThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever