India and Italy Strengthen Military Cooperation

India and Italy Strengthen Military Cooperation

VoM News Desk | March 13, 2024 | 10:54 PM IST | India, Italy, World | Follow on Google News

India and Italy Strengthen Military Cooperation

India and Italy Strengthen Military Cooperation

India and Italy concluded the 12th edition of the Military Cooperation Group (MCG) in New Delhi, focusing on enhancing defence cooperation and military-to-military exchanges. The discussions, led by the Directorate of International Defence Cooperation and the Italian Military Policy and Planning Division, aimed at fostering new initiatives to bolster bilateral ties.

Key Discussions and Co-Chaired Meeting

Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and Italian Secretary General of Defence & National Armament Director Lt Gen Luciano Portolano co-chaired the 10th India-Italy Joint Defence Committee (JDC) meeting. The talks delved into various defence industrial and military cooperation issues, with a particular emphasis on the Indo-Pacific region and security scenarios.

Enhancing Defence Industrial Cooperation

The meeting underscored the importance of enhancing defence industrial cooperation between India and Italy. An agreement on defence cooperation signed in October 2023 paved the way for deeper bilateral ties, focusing on joint projects and co-production opportunities in India. Integration of Indian vendors into the global supply chains of Italian defence companies was proposed to enhance value and supply chain resilience.

Elevation of Bilateral Relations

India and Italy have recently elevated their bilateral relations to the level of Strategic Partnership, signifying a deeper commitment to cooperation. Renewal of the MoU on Defence Cooperation during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Italy in October 2023 further solidified the bilateral defence relationship.

High-level Exchanges

In March 2023, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s visit to India marked the elevation of the partnership to a strategic level. Subsequent bilateral meetings, including discussions during the Raisina Dialogue and the G20 Summit, highlighted the broad spectrum of cooperation spanning trade, commerce, defence, and emerging technologies.

India and Italy’s continued engagement underscores their shared commitment to enhancing bilateral ties and addressing regional and global challenges through collaborative efforts.

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