New Delhi, India and Italy on Thursday decided to develop a defense industrial framework for joint production of military equipment, a move that came as the two countries navigate an evolving security landscape, including the ongoing crisis in West Asia.
The decision to strengthen bilateral defense and strategic ties was reached during talks between Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto in New Delhi.
Following the meeting, the two sides unveiled the 2026-27 bilateral military cooperation plan regarding military engagements between the armed forces of both countries.
“We discussed a wide range of regional and global issues including the current situation in West Asia,” Singh said on social media.
“We also discussed ways to further develop mutually beneficial defense industrial cooperation under India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat Program and Italy’s Defense Cooperation Initiative,” he added.
Singh and Crosetto reiterated that the strategic partnership between India and Italy is based on the shared values of peace, stability, freedom and mutual respect, the Defense Ministry said.
“The rapprochement between the two ancient maritime nations on various key maritime issues was also highlighted, including information exchange through the Indian Ocean Region Information Fusion Centre, Gurugram,” he added.
Before the meeting, the Italian Defense Minister laid a wreath at the National War Memorial and saluted the brave people who made the greatest sacrifices in the service of the nation.
Crosetto also inspected the service’s triple honor guard.
Within the broader framework of defense relations, the two sides look to enhance cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region with the aim of increasing interoperability and cooperation.
The two sides are exploring ways to enhance partnerships and dialogue between public and private stakeholders, with a focus on technological cooperation, co-production and joint development of defense platforms and equipment.
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