State Visit of Prime Minister of Italy to India

Why in news?

President of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister) of the Italian Republic, Giorgia Meloni, paid a State visit to India.
This was the first bilateral VVIP visit from Italy to India after 5 years; the last Prime Ministerial visit from Italy to India took place in October 2018.
PM Meloni was also the Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker at the 8th Raisina Dialogue, 2023.

Raisina Dialogue is India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-strategy.
It is organized by the Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration with Observer Research Foundation.
The theme of the 2023 Edition of Dialogue is Provocation, Uncertainty, Turbulence: Lighthouse in the Tempest.

What’s in today’s article?

India-Italy bilateral relation

Political relation

Political relations between India and Italy were established in 1947. India and Italy are celebrating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations this year.
PM Modi and then PM Conte co-chaired a Virtual Summit between India and Italy in November 2020.
- During the visit, 2020-2025 Action Plan was adopted that set an ambitious agenda for an enhanced Partnership between the countries.
PM Modi paid his first official visit to Italy in October 2021 to attend the G20 Summit.

During this visit, PM Modi held bilateral meeting with then PM Draghi.
A Joint Statement announcing a Strategic Partnership on Energy Transition was issued and a Statement of Intent on Textiles cooperation was released.

Economic Relations

Bilateral trade between the countries has reached USD 13.229 bn in 2021-22, with the balance in India’s favour. It has reached an all-time high of $15bn in calendar year2022.
- India’s primary exports to Italy comprise metals such as iron and steel, leather, chemicals, gems, and jewellery.
- Certain Indian exports like steel are increasing against the backdrop of Russia-Ukraine war.
  - Ukrainian steel industries were Europe’s main steel exporters.
- Machinery equipment comprise 36 percent of total Italian exports to India, and both economies are structured around SMEs.
Italy is India's 4th largest trading partner in EU, after Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.
India ranks 15th as country of origin of Italian imports, accounting for 1.5% of Italian imports.
Italy ranks 17th in FDI inflows in India during April 2000 to June 2022 with FDI inflow of US $ 3.20 bn during this period.
India’s “Make in India” initiative and modernisation drive can be complemented by Italian expertise in areas like manufacturing, green tech and defence.
India also intends to focus more on food processing and sustainable farming, sectors where Italy has substantial knowhow.

Defence

Then Chief of Army Staff, General M.M. Naravane, visited Italy in July 2021. The visit of COAS took place after 14 years.
India and Italy are also exploring joint productions in defence and aerospace sectors as well as technology transfers.
India and Italy also have a Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism.

Energy cooperation

In 2021, the two countries inked a Strategic Partnership on Energy Transition to advance collaboration on areas like green hydrogen and bio-fuels.

Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific

So far, Italy’s commitment to ensuring stability in the Indo-Pacific region is through the framework of the common EU strategy that was released in 2021.
In 2021, the India-Italy-Japan trilateral partnership was launched. However, it has not been operationalised yet.

Cooperation in Science and Technology

The first India-Italy Innovation Day was held virtually on 14th July 2021. Since then, both the countries are celebrating this event every year.

Indian Community

The Indian community in Italy (estimated at 180,000 including PIOs) is the third largest community of Indians in Europe after UK and the Netherlands.

News Summary: State Visit of Prime Minister of Italy to India

List of Outcomes: State visit of Prime Minister of Italy to India

Elevation of India-Italy bilateral ties to "Strategic Partnership".
Italy joining the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) under Science, Technology and Academics cooperation pillar.
- In November 2019, while participating in 14^th EAS, PM Modi launched the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
- IPOI seeks to ensure security and stability of the regional maritime domain.
- It is an open, non-treaty-based initiative for countries to work together for cooperative and collaborative solutions to common challenges in the region.
- It draws on existing regional architecture and mechanisms to focus on seven
- pillars:
  - Maritime Security
  - Maritime Ecology
  - Maritime Resources
  - Capacity Building and Resource Sharing
  - Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
  - Science, Technology and Academic Cooperation
  - Trade Connectivity and Maritime Transport
Declaration of Intent (DOI) on Migration and Mobility.
Announcement of India – Italy Start Up Bridge.
MoU on defence cooperation
- Both the countries have also decided to organise the joint military exercises and training courses on a regular basis. It also includes maritime cooperation.
- This cooperation will also promote co-production, co-design, and co-innovation in defence manufacturing.