India and Italy upgraded ties to a “strategic partnership” during Italian PM Giorgia Meloni’s visit to New Delhi. Meloni, who met with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and President Draupadi Murmu, was the chief guest and keynote speaker at India’s flagship diplomatic event, the Raisina Dialogue.
Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific
Modi and Meloni reiterated their commitment to a “free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific, based on respect for international law, sovereignty and territorial integrity, freedom of navigation, and free from coercion and conflicts.”
The two leaders underscored “the importance of promoting a cooperative system of international ocean and sea governance” based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
In order to boost people-to-people relations between India and Italy, we also talked about augmenting cooperation in education and culture. Close India-Italy relations will greatly benefit the people of our countries.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 2, 2023
They also vowed to increase cooperation “in countering transnational organised crimes committed at sea.” Highlighting the ‘EU Strategy on the Indo-Pacific,’ Meloni noted that the EU and India have abundant opportunities to collaborate in the field of maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.
The Italian premier specifically called on India to cooperate with the EU Naval Forces Operation in the Indian Ocean — ATALANTA — which was established in 2008 and is part of Brussel’s anti-piracy operations in the Horn of Africa and the western Indian Ocean.
Discussions on Ukraine
While the discussions on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine were limited, the joint statement included a sentence on Italy’s “strong condemnation of the unlawful and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine” by Russia. While India did not blame any one party in the statement, the inclusion of the sentence has come against the backdrop of New Delhi avoiding explicitly condemning Moscow and continuing defence and energy ties with Russia.
Ringrazio il Primo Ministro @narendramodi per la splendida accoglienza in India. Un viaggio che coincide con il 75° Anniversario delle relazioni bilaterali tra le nostre Nazioni, che abbiamo elevato a Partenariato Strategico. pic.twitter.com/odgqgGQUSy
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) March 2, 2023
Moreover, the two countries “called for the cessation of hostilities and expressed their serious concern about the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.” Modi and Meloni agreed on the “destabilising” effect the war has had on Ukraine and the international community.
“Both sides agreed to remain closely engaged on the topic,” the statement read.
Modi on Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific
At a joint press conference with Meloni, the Indian PM noted that the Ukraine conflict has magnified the global food and energy crisis, with a “particularly negative impact on developing countries.” He said that in light of India’s G20 Presidency, New Delhi is willing to be part of joint efforts to solve global problems like the Russia-Ukraine war and the COVID-19 pandemic-induced troubles.
Earlier this evening, attended the #RaisinaDialogue2023 and heard the insightful address by PM @GiorgiaMeloni. https://t.co/qJR9LQbnv2 pic.twitter.com/cmvAABxQjT
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 2, 2023
“India has made it clear that this dispute can only be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, and India is fully prepared to contribute to any peace process,” he reiterated New Delhi’s position on the war.
Modi also welcomed Italy’s “active participation” in the Indo-Pacific and announced that Italy has officially joined the India-led ‘Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative.’