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
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