An INDIAN insight into Europe

INDIA- ITALY RELATIONS

In the backdrop of 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and Italy with the slogan- Celebrating the Future, the visit of Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte’s to New Delhi within five months of assuming office showcases the significance attached to this relation. Prime Minister Modi and Conte delivered the valedictory address on 30 October 2018 at the Department of Science and Technology and Confederation of Indian Industry’s annual Technology Summit. With Italy being the partner country at the 24th Technology Summit, this visit comes as an important step in renewing and strengthening the India-Italy bilateral relations that had taken a backseat due to the Marines case. The thaw in the relations began last year with the visit after a decade of the Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni and the current visit augurs well for enhancing the bilateral engagement.

At the core of the visit aimed at building business, enhancing trade and defence ties, Italy wants to contribute to the “Make in India” that will create a win-win equation for both sides. Trade with Italy is important for India as it is the 5th largest trading partner within the European Union and the bilateral trade in 2017-18 stood at US$ 10.4 billion. "Technology Summit offers invaluable platform to forge knowledge partnerships", said Union Minister Harsh Vardhan on 29 October 2018 at the inauguration of the DST- CII Summit that focussed on seven key areas - Cleantech, Renewable, ICT, Healthcare, Aerospace, Education and Cultural Heritage. The Italian side was represented by Farnesina - the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; the Ministry of Economic Development; the Ministry of Education, Universities and Research (MIUR); the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) and Confindustria.

As members in the G20, there is a strong impulse of economic cooperation between both countries. The presence of 60 Italian companies for the Summit sought to strengthen industrial and scientific links between companies with focus on innovation and technology and to building new collaborations. Summing up the partnership between the two countries in a catch-phrase “From Hampi to Pompeii”, Prof Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology indicated that technologies for the restoration and preservation of cultural heritage were an area where Italy and India could do a lot of useful work together.

The Ministry of External Affairs commented that “The visit of the Italian Prime Minister will help to underscore these synergies and give an added boost to future collaboration”. This is borne out by the fact that there is a strong political push on both sides to move ahead. In a written interview to India Today, Prime Minister Conte supported regular migration to Italy and Europe as net contributors to growth and the need to engage Russia, both issues that are also politically and economically and strategically important for New Delhi. He further indicated that “Our common goal is to become strategic partners in order to face together challenges such as environmental sustainability and energy supply”.

Intensifying the political - security engagement, a Counter Terrorism working group has been set up. In addition, both leaders called upon all UN members to effectively implement the UN-Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, UNSC Resolution 1267 and other relevant UNSC resolutions relating to the prevention and suppression of terrorism and terrorist financing.  The reactivation of the Joint Defence Committee is a positive sign. Although some recent defence deals have come into scrutiny in Italy and India, both sides agreed to develop “enduring and mutually beneficial” defence cooperation.

Conte reiterated Italy’s support for India’s intensified engagement with the Nuclear Suppliers Group. The leaders also endorsed their commitment to the full and swift implementation of the Paris Agreement, to set up an institutional framework for dialogue to enhance business and economic cooperation, identified sectoral cooperation, the creation of a vocational training hub in Mumbai and emphasised that “connectivity initiatives be based on internationally recognised norms and standards”.

31.10.2018