What Italy means to India

• Italy and India share common interests in the Indo-Mediterranean Sea, crucial for global trade and digital connectivity.
• Italy has increased its commitment in security and defence in the Indian Ocean Region and West Asia.
• Italy has been a driving force in the EU military operation, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, to safeguard freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Gulf.

Naval Presence
• Italy has increased its naval presence in India, with patrol ship ITS Francesco Morosini visiting Mumbai in August 2023.
• The Italian Carrier Strike Group is currently in Goa, with the ITS Amerigo Vespucci expected to visit Mumbai from November 28 to December 2.
• The ITS Cavour, a ‘dual use’ vessel, is hosting PASSEX exercises and serving as a hospital for children with facial malformations.

Defence Ties
• The Italy-India defence cooperation relies on a defence agreement signed in October 2023, which lays the basis for further expansion of defence ties.
• Italian defence companies are open to joint ventures, co-production, and joint development.
• Italy and India are promoters of Africa in international fora and jointly supported the inclusion of the African Union in the G20.
• Italy has supported the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and railway connections, ports, logistics, and custom systems.

People-to-People Ties
• Italy is a friend to India, hosting the second largest Indian diaspora in the EU.
• It is a reliable economic and defence partner, the second largest manufacturing country in Europe, and a robust security provider.