EAM, Italian FM Discuss Closer Defence Collaboration, Ukraine

New Delhi, May 6: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and visiting Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio held productive discussions on Friday, including for closer defence collaboration, and also exchanged views on the Ukraine conflict and the Indo-Pacific.

During the bilateral meeting held at Hyderabad House, the two sides also focused on Make in India and transfer of technology. They also discussed their expanding cooperation in cyber security, Science and Technology and space sectors.

The EAM said in tweets: “A warm and productive meeting with FM @luigidimaio of Italy. Noted our expanding cooperation in cyber security, S&T and space sectors. “Agreed that increasing interest of Italian companies in @makeinindia & transfer of technology will further advance our bilateral relationship. “Also discussed collaboration with the EU for improving trade, energy and green transition. “Exchanged views on the Ukraine conflict and its knock-on effects, Covid and the Indo-Pacific.”

The Italian Minister, who is on his first visit to India, in a tweet said that “for peace in Ukraine actors like India are crucial” and that the discussions saw the bilateral relations strengthened across the board, “I had a very productive meeting with my Indian colleague @DrSJaishankar. For peace in #Ucraina actors like India are crucial. We strengthen our relationships across the board.”

A joint press statement on the meeting, said the two ministers reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations including the progress in implementation of the 2020-2024 Action Plan adopted at the Virtual Summit in November, 2020.

They welcomed the growing bilateral trade and investment linkages and agreed to expand them in new areas of common interest. They also discussed the implementation of the India-Italy Strategic Partnership on Energy Transition announced last year during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Italy and agreed to explore partnerships in areas such as gas transportation, green hydrogen, bio fuels and energy storage.

They agreed to jointly organize an India-Italy Tech Summit on Energy Transition and Circular Economy, to be held in Delhi on 17 November 2022. The two leaders noted the potential for a closer industrial collaboration, including in the field of defence. They reiterated their commitment to closely work in countering common challenges related to terrorism, violent extremism and cyber crime, the statement said.

The two sides exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interests including Ukraine, Afghanistan and Indo-Pacific and cooperation in multilateral forum including G20. Italy held the chair of the G20 last year, which was passed on to Indonesia for 2022, and with India set to host the summit next year. On Ukraine, the two Ministers expressed their concern on the ongoing humanitarian crisis and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. They also underlined the importance to safeguard the international order based on the UN Charter, with special regard to the respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity. Minister Di Maio also had a meeting with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and co-chaired a business round-table which saw participation of top business leaders particularly in the energy, defence, sustainable mobility, and infrastructure sectors.

Minister Goyal, in tweets, said the two sides are aiming for transformational and exponential growth in their business engagements, especially in the digital sector, education, tourism. “Chaired the India-Italy Business Roundtable with Minister @LuigiDiMaio “We are aiming for transformational & exponential growth in our business engagements. “Digital sector, education, tourism are some promising areas for deeper cooperation.” “Friends & partners in growth India and Italy, “Held a bilateral meeting with @LuigiDiMaio, Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation. “Discussed ways to further expand our bilateral cooperation to help businesses build on our advantages of innovation & scale.” Earlier during his visit, Minister Di Maio visited Bengaluru on May 5, where he met Chief Minister of Karnataka Basavaraj Bommai and inaugurated the premises of the new Consulate General of the Italian Republic.

Minister Di Maio also visited the Indian Space Research Organisation and the Indian Institute of Science along with their Italian counterparts, the Italian Space Agency and Elettra Sinctrotrone Trieste, with which scientific partnerships and joint projects are being developed, the statement said. In the field of defence, Cochin Shipyard Limited and Fincantieri of Italy signed an agreement in 2020 to cooperate in shipbuilding, repairs and training. Defence ties between the two countries went for a downslide post the AgustaWestland scam and alleged corruption in the deal with the Italian firm Finmeccania, now known as Leonardo.

Late last year, the ban on dealing with Leonardo was lifted, according to reports. India-Italy ties, which had taken a backseat over the Italian Marines issue have once again taken an upward turn, especially with Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi taking a personal interest in pushing forward the ties.