The recent virtual Bilateral Summit between India and Italy is notable for its comprehensive revision of the bilateral relationship’s framework. This summit focused on bolstering cooperation against universal challenges, including the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Action Plan for Enhanced Partnership
India and Italy decided to implement the Action Plan for an Enhanced Partnership (2020-2024). The plan provides a roadmap to establish priorities, strategic goals, and mechanisms of the bilateral alliance aimed at providing a robust response to global challenges.
Economic Engagement
Both countries agreed to closely coordinate at multilateral forums, particularly the G-20. Italy will assume the G-20 presidency in December 2021, with India taking on the role in 2022. An MoU was also signed between Cassa Depositi Prestiti (CDP), an Italian investment bank, and the National Infrastructure Investment Fund (NIIF) of India to encourage innovative financial schemes to support bilateral investments.
Defence Cooperation
Both nations pledged to broaden their defense engagement through increased two-way collaboration, technology cooperation, co-development, and co-production. They recognised the potential to solidify defence relations, thereby increasing peacekeeping activities’ effectiveness within the United Nations framework.
Cooperation During Covid-19 Pandemic
During the summit, Italy expressed gratitude towards India for its support during the pandemic by supplying medicines and personal protective equipment. Both nations reiterated that addressing the pandemic requires an inclusive multilateral approach, especially under the framework of UN and WHO.
Science, Technology and Research Collaboration
Progress made under India-Italy Science and Technology Cooperation and the India-Italy Executive Programme of Cooperation was recognized. The establishment of Thematic Working Groups between the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was also welcomed.
Cooperation for Counter-Terrorism and Security
India and Italy pledged to strengthen their counter-terrorism cooperation in bilateral and multilateral forums. A meeting of the ‘India-Italy Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism’ is scheduled for 2021 to further advance this cooperation.
Regional Cooperation and Connectivity
The potential of new international organisations like the Coalition on Disaster Resilient Infrastructures (CDRI) and the International Solar Alliance (ISA) was acknowledged. India also welcomed Italy’s engagement in the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and its new status as a Development Partner of ASEAN was noted.
Multilateral Cooperation on Environment
Both nations also reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), its Paris Agreement, and their respective nationally determined contributions (NDCs). The significance of cooperation leading up to the 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) was emphasized in the UNFCCC. COP26 will be organized by the UK in partnership with Italy in 2021.
