On November 6, 2020, an India-Italy virtual summit was held which was co-chaired by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Italy Prof. Giuseppe Conte. Both leaders reviewed the framework of bilateral relationship and also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation against common global challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic.
- The leaders discussed a wide range of issues including political, economic, scientific & technological, space and defence cooperation and also adopted ‘Action Plan for 2020-2024’ along with inking of 15 Memorandums of Understanding (MoU).
- It should be noted that Italy is all set to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA) following the amendment to the Framework Agreement allowing for the adhesion of non-Tropical countries which entered into force on July 15 2020.
–Adoption of India-Italy ‘Action Plan’ for 2020-2024
In order to expand bilateral and strategic partnership the two Prime Ministers adopted the “Action Plan for an enhanced Partnership” which represents a framework of setting up of new instruments of cooperation and the streamlining of the existing ones. The action plan is based on the following 4 pillars:
- PILLAR I (Political dialogue at bilateral level and coordination in multilateral fora).
- PILLAR II (economic engagement)
- PILLAR III (Partnership in the field of Science and Technology)
- PILLAR IV (Cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges)
Key Points with respect to Action Plan:
–Both sides agreed to promote innovative financial schemes capable of supporting bilateral investments.
–There will be further expansion of defence engagement within the framework of the United Nations through technology cooperation, co-development and co-production, by expediting discussions through the Joint Defence Committee and Military Cooperation Group.
–For cooperation in the health sector, there will be enhancement of consultations within the framework of the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization (WHO) amid Covid-19.
–Both sides satisfied with the implementation of various Science and Technology (S&T) activities India-Italy Executive Programme for Scientific and Technological Cooperation (2021-2023).
–Both leaders suggested that the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) implement their cooperation by expanding some areas of common interest.
- They welcomed the establishment of Thematic Working Groups as method of work between the two agencies as well as the creation of the first joint ASI-ISRO working group in heliophysics field involving experts and scientists from both countries.
–Both sides agreed to hold the next meeting of the Working Group to further advance cooperation, exchange of expertise and capacity building in countering terrorism and transnational crime in 2021.
–In the framework of their greater coordination on global issues, the two Countries reaffirmed their commitment to the implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Paris Agreement.
–Both sides cooperate in the run-up to the 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) of the UNFCCC, which will be organized next year by the United Kingdom (UK) in partnership with Italy.
–They also reiterated their commitment to cooperate in the field of disaster risk reduction and management.
–The two leaders agreed to work closely together for the success of the 16th India-EU summit to be held in 2021.
–They decided to organize culture festivals as India in Italy in year 2021 in Italy and Italy in India in year 2022 in India.
–There will be closer interaction between the Indian National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Italian Department of Civil Protection.
– The India-Italy Joint Working Group (JWGFP) on Food Processing will continue their operation which was devised in December 2017.
–There would be a Cultural and creative industries toolbox which will be a set of existing bilateral agreements and arrangements, including MoU between Venice La Biennale and FICCI, and among other relevant institutions, including museums and design institutions (La Triennale).
Click Here for List of Action Plan
–15 MoUs were Signed in Various Sectors
The summit saw the inking of following 15 MoUs in various sectors:
- MoU between the Italian Trade Agency and Invest India.
- MoU to promote co-financing between Cassa Depositi e Prestiti SpA (CDP), Italy and National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), India.
- MoU among the Indian Institute of Technology (Kanpur), Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Soprintendenza Archeologica Belle Arti e Paesaggio di Venezia on creating network and sharing skills for restoration and protection of monuments.
- Addendum to the Executive Protocol for Scientific and Technological Cooperation between Italy and India on industrial projects;
- Exchange of Notes on the Rules of Procedure for approval of co-production status under art. 15 of the Audio-Visual co-production agreement between the Government of the Republic of Italy and the Government of Republic of India.
- MoU between Fincantieri S.p.A., Italy and Cochin Shipyard Limited, India on design, shipbuilding and manufacturing.
- MoU between Fincantieri S.p.A., Italy and Cochin Shipyard Limited, India on repair/refit.
- Cooperation Agreement to promote energy transition between Snam S.p.A., Italy and Adani Entreprises Ltd, India.
- Cooperation Agreement to set-up a CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) compressors factory in India between Snam S.p.A., Italy and Adani Gas Ltd, India.
- MoU to enhance the development of green hydrogen between Snam S.p.A., Italy and Greenko Energies Private Ltd, India.
- MoU to promote energy transition and cooperate on gas infrastructures development between Snam S.p.A., Italy and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. India.
- MoU in the area of conversion of plastic recycling between NextChem (Maire Tecnimont Group), Italy and Indian Oil Cooperation, India.
- MoU on the fisheries sector between ASSOITTICA of Italy and Seafood Exporters Association of India.
- MoU on Cost Free Content Exchange between ANI Media Pvt. Ltd., India and RCS Media Group S. p. A., Italy.
- MoU on Student Exchange between Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), India and ZeLIG, Italy.
India-Italy on G-20 front
On regional and international issues, both sides agreed to coordinate closely at multilateral fora especially G-20 (Group of Twenty). Italy will assume the Presidency of G-20 in December 2021 followed by India in 2022. Together, India and Italy will be part of the G20 Troika from December, 2020.
- A Global Health Summit, will be held in Italy in the context of the Italian G 20 Presidency in 2021, in cooperation with the EU (European Union) Commission.
Recent Related News:
i.On October 26, 2020, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K) in Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have inked MoU with Italy’s Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, and Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti E Paesaggio, Venice for creating a network of sharing skills for restoration and protection of historical monuments.
ii.On October 27, 2020 Cochin Shipyard Limited and Fincantieri S.P.A. of Italy virtually signed MoU for cooperation in the areas of Design, Ship Building, Ship Repair, Marine Equipment Manufacturing and also for Training & Skill Development.
About Italy:
President – Sergio Mattarella
Capital – Rome
Currency – Euro
