New Delhi [India], April 30 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will hold bilateral talks on Thursday with Italy’s Minister of Defence, Guido Crosetto, in New Delhi.
During the meeting, the ministers will discuss a range of issues covering defense cooperation between the two countries. They are also expected to share their views on regional and global issues in light of the evolving security landscape, a statement from the Ministry of Defence said.
According to the Ministry of Defence, defense cooperation between India and Italy gained further momentum after the Raksha Mantri visited Rome in October 2023. Crosetto’s maiden visit to India underscores the intent of both nations to expand existing cooperation and explore new areas of collaboration, particularly in the industrial partnership domain.
The signing of the India-EU Defence and Strategic Partnership in January 2026 signals increasing strategic convergence and has provided further impetus to defense industrial cooperation in areas of mutual interest, the statement added.
The defense relationship between India and Italy has expanded to include dialogue, service-to-service interactions, training, export of defense equipment, information sharing, port calls, naval exercises, and maritime security. An agreement on defense cooperation was signed after the Defence Minister traveled to Italy in 2023 for bilateral talks with his counterpart, Crosetto.
Earlier this year, India and the European Union signed a landmark Security and Defence Partnership, marking the first overarching defense and security framework between the two sides, as leaders agreed to significantly deepen cooperation across strategic, regional, and global security domains.
In a joint statement issued following the 16th India-EU Summit, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, European Council President Antonio Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the leaders welcomed the signing of the Security and Defence Partnership (SDP). They noted that the agreement would strengthen collaboration in maritime security, the defense industry and technology, cyber and hybrid threats, space, counterterrorism, and other areas.
Under the partnership, India and the EU agreed to upgrade existing Security and Defence Consultations into an annual EU-India Security and Defence Dialogue, institutionalizing regular high-level engagement, the statement said.
The two sides will also consult on their respective defense initiatives and explore opportunities for India’s participation in relevant EU defense programs, in line with their respective legal frameworks.
To strengthen defense industrial collaboration, the joint statement announced the establishment of an industry-led India-EU Defence Industry Forum, bringing together businesses from both sides with official observers and the participation of EU member states. The forum will focus on identifying opportunities for cooperation in defense manufacturing, innovation, and technology. The leaders also committed to deepening engagement on regional security, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. (ANI)
About The Author
