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In a significant move to bolster bilateral defence cooperation, India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh concluded a two-day official visit to Rome from April 14 to 15. The visit featured high-level meetings, strategic dialogues, and the signing of key agreements aimed at enhancing the India-Italy strategic partnership in defence and security.
Strengthening Strategic Partnerships
The visit commenced with Defence Secretary Singh calling on Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto. Both leaders engaged in productive discussions focusing on elevating defence cooperation as a central pillar of the India-Italy strategic partnership. Topics included maritime security, information sharing, and collaborative efforts within the Trans Regional Maritime Network.
Joint Defence Committee Meeting
A highlight of the visit was the 11th India-Italy Joint Defence Committee meeting, co-chaired by Defence Secretary Singh and Italian Secretary General of Defence Ms Luisa Riccardi. The committee deliberated on a wide range of issues, including defence and security cooperation, industrial collaboration, and maritime initiatives. The discussions also addressed regional security concerns, notably the situations in the Red Sea and the Western Indian Ocean Region.
Focus on Defence Industry Collaboration
Emphasizing India’s commitment to self-reliance in defence manufacturing, Defence Secretary Singh highlighted the government’s proactive measures to build a robust defence production and innovation ecosystem. He underscored the importance of technology transfer and joint ventures in armament production.
In a significant development, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and the Italian Industries Federation for Aerospace, Defence, and Security (AIAD). This agreement aims to foster sustained engagement, encourage joint ventures, facilitate technology partnerships, and boost industrial collaboration between Indian and Italian defence companies.
Industry Roundtable and B2B Engagements
During the India-Italy Defence Industry Roundtable, Defence Secretary Singh delivered a keynote address outlining the transformative reforms in India’s defence sector. He highlighted creating a conducive environment for industry growth through transparency, predictability, and ease of doing business.
The visit also featured a Business-to-Business (B2B) session, bringing together senior leadership and key stakeholders from both nations. Structured meetings facilitated discussions on potential areas of collaboration, co-development, and co-production. Prominent Italian companies such as Leonardo, Fincantieri, and IVECO Defence Vehicles engaged with leading Indian firms, including Bharat Forge Ltd, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, and Larsen & Toubro Ltd.
Aligning with Strategic Action Plans
These initiatives align with the broader India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan (2025–29), unveiled during a summit between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Giorgia Meloni in November 2024. The plan outlines a roadmap for defence industrial collaboration, joint production of defence equipment, and increased cooperation in areas such as counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and maritime infrastructure.
The Defence Secretary’s visit marks a pivotal step in reinforcing the strategic partnership between India and Italy. The two countries share a commitment to advancing defence cooperation and industrial collaboration.
Team BharatShakti
