India and Italy have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding defence and military cooperation following high-level talks between the chiefs of their respective air forces in New Delhi.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh, met Lieutenant General Antonio Conserva, Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force, to discuss issues of mutual interest and explore new avenues for strengthening bilateral defence cooperation and enhancing military-to-military engagement.
The discussions focused on deepening collaboration between the Indian Air Force and the Italian Air Force through closer strategic coordination, professional exchanges, and expanded defence interactions. The visit underscores the growing momentum in defence relations between the two countries as they continue to broaden their strategic partnership.
As part of his official visit, Lieutenant General Conserva also paid tribute to India’s fallen soldiers by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi.
The meeting follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Italy last month, during which he held comprehensive discussions with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella. During the visit, India and Italy elevated their bilateral relationship to a Special Strategic Partnership, marking a significant milestone in their diplomatic ties.
Both nations reviewed progress under the India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029 and agreed to expand cooperation across trade, investment, defence, security, science and technology, innovation, space, energy, artificial intelligence, critical technologies, education, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.
The two governments also welcomed the strengthening of defence ties through regular ministerial interactions, exchange of military visits, and increased engagement between their armed forces. They reaffirmed their commitment to advancing defence industrial collaboration through co-design, co-development, and co-production of defence equipment under a jointly agreed industrial roadmap.
The latest Air Force-level dialogue reflects the steady expansion of India-Italy strategic cooperation and both countries’ shared focus on enhancing defence capabilities, interoperability, and long-term security collaboration.
