India, Italy to elevate ties to Strategic Partnership

In News

• Recently, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited India after a gap of nearly five years.

Outcomes:

• The two countries have decided to take the relationship forward by elevating India?Italy partnership to the level of strategic partnership. 
• Identifying defence as an important pillar in the relationship, both countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation.The MOU focuses on three areas:
  • Strong cooperation in the fields of manufacturing, co-production, co-design, co-innovation. 
  • expansion and deepening of military exercises  to all levels in the armed forces
  • maritime cooperation
• A Declaration of Intent was signed between the two countries on the migration and mobility partnership agreement.
• Italy joined the IPOI, Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative,signalling the need for stronger co-operation in the indo-Pacific.
• Both nations announced  a start-up bridge to give momentum to economic ties

India-Italy Bilateral Relations 

• About:
  • India and Italy are ancient civilizations but young states. Based on common interests like rule based international order, India and Italy have enjoyed a cordial relationship.
• Diplomatic: 
  • Political relations between India and Italy were established in 1947.
  • The two countries enjoy cordial relationships. There has been a regular exchange of visits at political and official levels between both countries.
  • Italy has supported India’s membership to export control regimes like the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), Wassenaar Arrangement, and the Australia Group.
• Trade and Investment:
  • Italy is among India’s top 5 trading partners in the EU. The balance of trade has been in India’s favour since the early eighties. 
  •  In 2021, the two countries inked a Strategic Partnership on Energy Transition to advanced collaboration on areas like green hydrogen and biofuels.
  • India invited Italy to partner in ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ with a focus on the areas of renewable energy, green hydrogen, IT, telecom, and space among others.  
  • Italy also joined the successful India-France led International Solar Alliance comprising over 90 members.
• Cultural Exchange:
  • The agreement for cultural cooperation was signed in 1976. 
  • It was replaced by a new Agreement in July 2004. 
  • The Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) between Italy and India entails exchange of students in language programmes as well as other academic courses.
• Scientific Cooperation:
  • An Agreement on S&T Co-operation has existed since 1978. 
  • The Agreement envisages three yearly action plans under which a maximum of thirty joint research projects can be undertaken. 
  • This agreement was replaced by one signed in Nov 2003.
  • India-Italy Science and Technology Cooperation(JSTC) has been actively promoting cooperation through joint project proposals.
• Defence:
  • Defence cooperation has traditionally been an important pillar of India-Italy relations. An MOU on Defence Cooperation was signed in November 1994.
  • The Indian Army has a historical connection with Italy.
  • India also welcomed Italy’s engagement in the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and Italy’s new status as a Development Partner of ASEAN
  • The navies of both countries  regularly co-operate in anti-piracy missions.

Significance

• Italy is among India’s top 5 trading partners in the EU(currently fourth). The balance of trade has been in India’s favour since the early eighties.
• Italy is an export-oriented economy and Europe’s second largest manufacturer, for whom secure supply chains and maritime routes linking Asia to Europe and rules-based trade are important. India as a strong power in indo-pacific can use it to her advantage.
• Hedge against china: current italian government has raised concerns regarding china. India can utilise Italy to influence the EU.

Issues

• Lack of separate Frame works:India does not have a separate trade agreement with Italy like it has for England . engagement with Italy is under the umbrella of EU
• Saddled by incidents: Incidents like treatment of Italian Marines, Cancellation of VVIP chopper deal have worn down the relationship.

Way Forward

• India’s partnership with Italy is gaining strength on all levels—political, economic, and strategic. PM Meloni’s recent  visit would further boost ties while also adding fodder to the reinvigorated EU-India partnership. For India-Italy relations, the future is likely to be bright and progressive.

Source:TH