India is burying the hatchet with a key Western power
After major scandals derailed ties, New Delhi is rebooting ties
-Defence pact to be signed in May
-200,000+ ๐ฎ๐ณ diaspora to benefit from new migration deal
-Major economic investments planned
๐งตon ๐ฎ๐ณ's "reboot" in Europe
After major scandals derailed ties, New Delhi is rebooting ties
-Defence pact to be signed in May
-200,000+ ๐ฎ๐ณ diaspora to benefit from new migration deal
-Major economic investments planned
๐งตon ๐ฎ๐ณ's "reboot" in Europe
That key Western power is Italy
-$2 trillion+ economy (10th largest globally)
-Key defence player w. major firms like Leonardo, Avio, Elettronica
-Home to largest Indian diaspora in continental Europe (200,000+)
-Stengths in automotives (Fiat, Ferrari), Luxury (Gucci) & food
-$2 trillion+ economy (10th largest globally)
-Key defence player w. major firms like Leonardo, Avio, Elettronica
-Home to largest Indian diaspora in continental Europe (200,000+)
-Stengths in automotives (Fiat, Ferrari), Luxury (Gucci) & food
India-Italy ties have been strained by scandal
The Italian Marines Affair in 2012 saw two marines gun down ๐ฎ๐ณ fishermen, mistaking them for pirates
This sparked diplomatic crisis as ๐ฎ๐ณ & Italy clashed about how the marines would be prosecuted
Bilateral ties saw major downturn
The Italian Marines Affair in 2012 saw two marines gun down ๐ฎ๐ณ fishermen, mistaking them for pirates
This sparked diplomatic crisis as ๐ฎ๐ณ & Italy clashed about how the marines would be prosecuted
Bilateral ties saw major downturn
Tensions continued for years as Italy refused to send marines back to India
Matters were referred to an international court of arbitration
A final decision was made in 2020 allowing Italy to prosecute the marines but also awarding compensation to ๐ฎ๐ณ
Matters were referred to an international court of arbitration
A final decision was made in 2020 allowing Italy to prosecute the marines but also awarding compensation to ๐ฎ๐ณ
In 2012-13, major Italian defence firm Leonardo spA was caught up in the AgustaWestland chopper scandal
Accused of paying bribes to politicians & defence officials to secure 3500 crore contract for VVIP Choppers
Leonardo spA suspended from competing for ๐ฎ๐ณ defence contracts
Accused of paying bribes to politicians & defence officials to secure 3500 crore contract for VVIP Choppers
Leonardo spA suspended from competing for ๐ฎ๐ณ defence contracts
Since AgustaWestland was its subsidiary, Leonardo executives also charged, including its CEO
1,200 crore deal to buy Black Shark heavy-weight torpedoes for ๐ฎ๐ณ submarines from Leonardo subsidiary also scrapped
That hurt the growth of ๐ฎ๐ณ-Italy defence relationship
1,200 crore deal to buy Black Shark heavy-weight torpedoes for ๐ฎ๐ณ submarines from Leonardo subsidiary also scrapped
That hurt the growth of ๐ฎ๐ณ-Italy defence relationship
Indian workers have also been trapped into forced labour in Italy's agricultural sector
Much of ๐ฎ๐ณ's 200,000+ diaspora works in Italy's agri & dairy sector
These labourers have been taken to Italy & forced to work for low wages in exploitative conditions
Much of ๐ฎ๐ณ's 200,000+ diaspora works in Italy's agri & dairy sector
These labourers have been taken to Italy & forced to work for low wages in exploitative conditions
These scandals hurt bilateral ties for years
However, since a decade has now passed since the initial scandals, India and Italy are trying to bury the past and repair bilateral ties
There's a few key ways New Delhi and Rome are doing that
However, since a decade has now passed since the initial scandals, India and Italy are trying to bury the past and repair bilateral ties
There's a few key ways New Delhi and Rome are doing that
1โฃ. Restore high-level contact
Since 2019, senior officials as well as Foreign Ministers have met regularly
Italy invited PM Modi to attend 2021 G20 Summit in Rome; met PM Mario Draghi
New PM Giorgia Meloni visited India in March 2023 & was Chief Guest @ Raisina Dialogue
Since 2019, senior officials as well as Foreign Ministers have met regularly
Italy invited PM Modi to attend 2021 G20 Summit in Rome; met PM Mario Draghi
New PM Giorgia Meloni visited India in March 2023 & was Chief Guest @ Raisina Dialogue
2โฃ. Fix defence ties
In 2021, India's Defence Ministry removed suspension on Leonardo spA
Since Leonardo is among 100 largest defence companies globally, suspension was hurting ๐ฎ๐ณ's defence modernisation plans
Defence and security cooperation key focus of 2023 Meloni visit
In 2021, India's Defence Ministry removed suspension on Leonardo spA
Since Leonardo is among 100 largest defence companies globally, suspension was hurting ๐ฎ๐ณ's defence modernisation plans
Defence and security cooperation key focus of 2023 Meloni visit
What's the agenda now?
Italy's Ambassador Vincenzo de Luca spoke to me:
1. Italy will send a naval vessel, the Morosini, to Indo-Pacific & India this August
2. Italian companies will look to co-op w. ๐ฎ๐ณon "torpedoes..UAVs.. flight control..electronic equipment..shipbuilding"
Italy's Ambassador Vincenzo de Luca spoke to me:
1. Italy will send a naval vessel, the Morosini, to Indo-Pacific & India this August
2. Italian companies will look to co-op w. ๐ฎ๐ณon "torpedoes..UAVs.. flight control..electronic equipment..shipbuilding"
This matters since Italy's def tech partnerships are ambitious
Italy is pursuing a trilateral initiative with Japan & UK to develop a 6th generation fighter aircraft to rival America
While IND & Italy are a far cry from this, its a good target to work towards
Italy is pursuing a trilateral initiative with Japan & UK to develop a 6th generation fighter aircraft to rival America
While IND & Italy are a far cry from this, its a good target to work towards
My exclusive: ๐ฎ๐ณ & Italy will sign a defence pact in May
This will make it easier for bureaucracies to talk to each other
Businesses will also feel comfortable
However, agreement will be limited since it will not facilitate military exercises
livemint.com
This will make it easier for bureaucracies to talk to each other
Businesses will also feel comfortable
However, agreement will be limited since it will not facilitate military exercises
livemint.com
3. IND-Italy close to finalising migration pact
Both sides also want to combat illegal migration & exploitation of ๐ฎ๐ณ workers in Italy
Migration & mobility pact will help with that
My exclusive: Both sides may finalise migration pact soon
livemint.com
Both sides also want to combat illegal migration & exploitation of ๐ฎ๐ณ workers in Italy
Migration & mobility pact will help with that
My exclusive: Both sides may finalise migration pact soon
livemint.com
4โฃ. Boost investment & economic ties
Italy is the third largest economy in EU
Bilateral trade between ๐ฎ๐ณ & Italy almost 15 billion euros (42% jump since 2021)
๐ฎ๐ณ's digital sector is of interest to Italy
Minister Piyush Goyal in Italy this week to๐economic linkages
Italy is the third largest economy in EU
Bilateral trade between ๐ฎ๐ณ & Italy almost 15 billion euros (42% jump since 2021)
๐ฎ๐ณ's digital sector is of interest to Italy
Minister Piyush Goyal in Italy this week to๐economic linkages
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