India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan (2025–2029): Strengthening Bilateral Ties Across Key Sectors

On November 18, 2024, at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, India and Italy unveiled a far-reaching Joint Strategic Action Plan (2025–2029), signaling their commitment to a more profound and multidimensional partnership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni agreed to bolster bilateral relations through focused, time-bound initiatives spanning ten pivotal areas. This comprehensive roadmap builds on their shared values, economic aspirations, and geopolitical goals, aiming to enhance collaboration in politics, economics, science, technology, defense, culture, and people-to-people ties.

Below is a detailed exploration of the ten thematic pillars of the Joint Strategic Action Plan.

1. Political Dialogue: A Platform for Consistent Engagement

India and Italy recognize the importance of sustained political dialogue to address bilateral, regional, and global challenges. The two countries agreed to:

– Regular High-Level Meetings: Heads of Government, Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Defense Ministers will maintain regular interactions, leveraging multilateral platforms to foster understanding and alignment on key issues.

– Annual Consultations: Bilateral talks between the foreign ministries at senior levels will ensure the steady implementation of shared objectives.

– Cross-Sector Ministerial Engagements: Enhanced communication between various ministries will deepen sector-specific cooperation and advance mutual interests.

This structured dialogue mechanism underscores both nations’ commitment to fostering robust political ties and addressing challenges together.

 

2. Economic Cooperation and Investment: Unlocking Trade and Innovation Potential

The economic pillar focuses on leveraging opportunities across sectors to boost bilateral trade, investment, and market access:

– Sectoral Focus: Emphasis on transportation, agricultural products and machinery, pharmaceuticals, green technologies, sustainable mobility, and advanced manufacturing.

– Joint Ventures: India and Italy aim to foster co-development and co-production projects between major corporations and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

– Trade Forums and Exhibitions: Both nations will facilitate participation in trade fairs and business forums, creating networks for industrial and economic associations.

– Industrial Partnerships: Initiatives to promote technological centers and mutual investment will target high-potential sectors, such as semiconductors and infrastructure.

This approach reflects the shared ambition of turning economic collaboration into a key driver of bilateral growth.

 

3. Connectivity: Enhancing Sustainable Transport and Infrastructure

Recognizing the transformative potential of connectivity, the plan includes:

– Sustainable Transport: Collaborative efforts to develop eco-friendly transport solutions, contributing to global climate goals.

– Maritime Cooperation: Italy and India will conclude agreements on port and maritime infrastructure development to strengthen global supply chains.

– India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC): A significant emphasis will be placed on leveraging this transcontinental corridor for increased trade and economic interlinkages.

 

These initiatives align with global efforts to improve sustainable and resilient connectivity frameworks.

 

4. Advancing Science, Technology, IT, Innovation, and Start-ups

Science and technology cooperation between India and Italy will focus on fostering innovation ecosystems and building capacity:

 

– Critical Technologies: Partnerships in artificial intelligence, telecom, digital services, and Industry 4.0 will be expanded.

– Clean Energy and Advanced Manufacturing: Collaborative research will explore cutting-edge developments in energy transition and industrial processes.

– Start-Up Ecosystems: Interaction between Indian and Italian start-ups will focus on fintech, agritech, health care, logistics, and green energy.

– Educational Initiatives: Scholarships and joint academic projects in STEM fields will be promoted to create a skilled workforce.

– Innovation Exchange Programme: The Indo-Italian Innovation and Incubation Exchange Programme will harness academic and industry expertise for technological breakthroughs.

This pillar demonstrates a shared commitment to creating knowledge-based economies.

 

5. Space Sector: Collaborative Exploration of the Final Frontier

 

The space collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) will explore projects in:

 

– Earth Observation and Heliophysics: Joint research initiatives will address global challenges, including climate change and disaster management.

– Lunar Science: With a renewed focus on lunar exploration, India and Italy will pool resources for innovative missions.

– Commercial Collaboration: Both nations will engage industries, MSMEs, and start-ups for space technology development.

– Industry Delegations: By mid-2025, an Italian space industry delegation will visit India to explore joint opportunities.

 

This partnership underscores the growing importance of space exploration in bilateral relations.

 

6. Energy Transition: Building a Sustainable Future

 

India and Italy aim to lead the global transition to green energy through: 

 

– Technology Summits: Regular events will share best practices and promote industrial partnerships.

– Renewable Energy Cooperation: Green hydrogen, biofuels, and energy efficiency will be key focus areas for joint research and development.

– Global Alliances: Both nations will strengthen their role in initiatives like the Global Biofuels Alliance and the International Solar Alliance.

– Grid Innovations: Exchanges on advanced grid development solutions will enhance the integration of renewable energy into existing systems.

 

This partnership reflects a shared commitment to combating climate change and promoting sustainable development.

 

 

 

7. Defense Cooperation: Building Strategic and Operational Ties

 

Defense ties between India and Italy will deepen through structured engagement mechanisms and joint initiatives:

 

– Joint Defense Consultative Meetings: Annual discussions will ensure alignment on strategic priorities. 

– Armed Forces Interactions: Increased interoperability and cooperation will be explored, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.

– Technology Collaboration: Co-production of defense platforms and equipment will focus on leveraging cutting-edge technologies.

– Maritime Cooperation: Joint efforts will address maritime pollution and enhance search and rescue operations.

 

A Defense Industrial Roadmap and agreements between industry associations will provide a blueprint for long-term collaboration.

 

 

 

8. Security Cooperation: Tackling Emerging Threats

 

Security cooperation will focus on enhancing mutual capabilities to address contemporary challenges:

 

– Cybersecurity: Exchanges on cyber policy, practices, and capacity building will strengthen resilience against cyber threats.

– Counterterrorism: Both countries will intensify efforts to combat terrorism at bilateral, regional, and international levels, sharing best practices and intelligence.

– Information Exchange: Agreements on protecting classified information will enhance trust and operational coordination.

 

This partnership reinforces a shared commitment to global and regional stability.

 

 

9. Migration and Mobility: Facilitating Safe and Legal Pathways

 

Acknowledging the value of people-to-people connections, the plan includes initiatives to:

 

– Promote Legal Migration: Fair labor recruitment and training programs, including a pilot project for Indian health professionals seeking employment in Italy, will be prioritized.

– Counter Irregular Migration: Joint efforts will address illegal migration channels while ensuring safe pathways for skilled workers.

– Academic Mobility: Agreements between higher education institutions will increase opportunities for students, researchers, and academics.

 

These measures aim to strengthen human capital exchange and foster mutual prosperity.

 

 

10. Culture, Academia, Cinema, and Tourism: Celebrating Shared Heritage

 

Cultural exchanges and tourism initiatives will deepen people-to-people ties:

 

– Academic Collaboration: Increased partnerships between universities and vocational institutions will drive innovation and skill development.

– Heritage Preservation: Joint efforts to restore and preserve heritage sites will highlight shared histories.

– Film Co-Productions: Collaboration in filmmaking will create opportunities for artistic exchange and boost tourism.

– Tourism Promotion: Initiatives to enhance tourist flows will build mutual understanding and economic benefits.

 

Acknowledging the vibrant Indian and Italian diasporas, both nations aim to celebrate their role in strengthening bilateral ties.

 

 

The India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan (2025–2029) underscores a shared vision of growth, sustainability, and global leadership. By addressing political, economic, and socio-cultural dimensions, the roadmap lays the foundation for a dynamic partnership in the years ahead. Through actionable and measurable goals, both nations are poised to build an enduring alliance that benefits their citizens and the world.

 

This plan not only reflects the depth of India-Italy relations but also positions them as global partners driving innovation, peace, and sustainable development.