India-Italy Defence Cooperation
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with his Italian counterpart, Guido Crosetto, to exchange a Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan for 2026-27. This plan outlines future military engagements between the two nations' defence forces.
Key Points from the Meeting
- Singh expressed India's concerns regarding the transfer of sensitive defence technologies to Pakistan.
- The meeting emphasized the strategic partnership based on shared values of peace, stability, freedom, and mutual respect.
- Both ministers explored avenues for enhancing defence industrial cooperation under India's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and Italy's defence cooperation programs.
- Highlighted the convergence on maritime issues and information exchange through the Information Fusion Center-Indian Ocean Region, Gurugram which is connected with 50 nations.
Italian Re-entry into the Indian Defence Market
The visit from the Italian Defence Minister comes as Italy aims to re-enter the Indian defence market. In February, a partnership was formed between Italian Defence Major Leonardo and the Adani Group to establish a comprehensive helicopter manufacturing ecosystem.
- This partnership supports the production of Leonardo’s advanced helicopters (AW169M and AW109 TrekkerM), phased indigenisation, MRO capabilities, and pilot training infrastructure.
Regional and Global Issues
Singh and Crosetto discussed a range of regional and global issues, including the situation in West Asia.
- The Defence Ministry noted that Indian-Italian defence cooperation gained momentum following Singh's visit to Rome in October 2023.
- Crosetto also met with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, focusing on strengthening strategic dialogue on international security issues, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Emphasized the importance of maritime security, freedom of navigation, and protecting energy and commercial routes.
