India and Italy have taken significant steps toward strengthening their defence partnership, focusing on expanding industrial collaboration and enhancing strategic cooperation between the two nations. The discussions took place in New Delhi during a meeting between India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto. Both leaders emphasized building a mutually beneficial framework aligned with India’s self-reliance initiative in defence manufacturing and Italy’s evolving defence cooperation strategy.
A key outcome of the meeting was the exchange of the Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan for 2026–27, which outlines structured engagements between the armed forces of both countries. This plan is expected to enhance joint exercises, training activities, and coordinated defence interactions in the coming years, strengthening operational familiarity between the two militaries.
During the talks, both sides also reviewed major regional and global developments, including ongoing tensions in West Asia and the broader Middle East region. The discussions reflected shared concerns about international stability and the importance of coordinated responses to emerging security challenges.
Rajnath Singh highlighted that India is keen to expand defence industrial ties under its domestic manufacturing push, encouraging greater collaboration in technology sharing, production, and supply chain integration. In response, Italy expressed interest in deepening cooperation based on mutual advantage, particularly in advanced defence systems and joint development opportunities.
Earlier during his visit, Crosetto paid homage at India’s National War Memorial in New Delhi, honoring soldiers who sacrificed their lives in service of the nation. This gesture underscored the respect and goodwill that continues to define the bilateral relationship.
Italy’s defence establishment noted that cooperation between the two countries has gained momentum since Rajnath Singh’s visit to Rome in 2023. That visit had already laid the foundation for stronger engagement, including a formal memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation.
Further strengthening this trajectory, the India–EU defence and strategic partnership established in early 2026 has added new momentum to bilateral defence engagement, opening wider avenues for collaboration in areas of shared interest.
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the relationship has evolved from a traditional focus on defence imports to a broader partnership covering training, joint exercises, maritime security, information sharing, port visits, and defence exports, marking a more comprehensive and forward-looking defence alliance between India and Italy.
