India, Italy agree for urgent implementation of initiative to counter terror financing
The decision to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation was taken at the 9th India-Italy Foreign Ministry Consultations (FOC) held in New Delhi on March 20. The Indian delegation was led by Secretary (West) Sibi George, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the Italian delegation was led by Ambassador Nicoletta Bombardiere, Director General of Globalization and Global Issues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consultations were held within the framework of regular and frequent high-level contacts between the two parties; the most recent being the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg in November 2025 and Foreign Minister Dr. There was a meeting between S Jaishankar and Deputy Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister Antonio Tajani.
The FOC provided an opportunity to review and discuss the full scope of bilateral cooperation, as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest. According to the statement issued by the MEA, both sides expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Joint Strategic Action Plan (JSAP) 2025-29, especially in the sectors of trade and economy, technology, space, research and innovation, defense and security, counter-terrorism, renewable energy, education and people-to-people relations.
Both sides are working to organize the first Maritime Security Dialogue to enhance cooperation for maritime safety, security and growth. They discussed important developments in the Indo-Pacific, West Asia and other global and regional areas of common interest.
According to the MEA statement, both sides emphasized further strengthening cooperation in the field of skills and mobility, including in the health sector, within the framework of the Agreement on Migration and Mobility.
India-Italy bilateral relations are on an upward trajectory, with regular high-level interactions, ministerial dialogues and increasing interactions at the private sector level.
