November 7, 2020: India-Italy held a virtual bilateral summit between Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Italy Prof. Giuseppe Conte on November 6, 2020. Both countries adopted an Action Plan for an enhanced Partnership (2020 – 2024). This Action Plan will set up priorities, strategic goals, and mechanisms of a bilateral partnership for the period 2020-2025. Both the leaders also expressed joint intent to monitor the implementation of this Action Plan through a follow-up mechanism.
The Action Plan has four pillars viz. political dialogue at a bilateral level and coordination in multilateral fora, economic engagement, partnership in the field of Science and Technology, and cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. An annual follow up mechanism will be presided by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy and the External Affairs Minister of India. The follow-up mechanism will convene alternatively in India and Italy.
India and Italy also signed 15 MoUs in various sectors such as energy, fisheries, shipbuilding, design etc. coinciding with the Summit.
The two leaders 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.
Both leaders discussed strengthening economic engagement, enhancing defence cooperation, enhancing science, technology and research collaboration, enhancing cooperation in the field of counter terrorism and security, and enhancing regional cooperation and connectivity.
On regional and international issues, both sides agreed to coordinate closely at multilateral fora, especially G-20. 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. India welcomed Italy’s decision to join the International Solar Alliance as soon as the ratification process is complete.
In his welcome address, Indian Prime Minister Modi recalled the 2018 visit of Mr Conte to India and appreciated the rapid growth in India-Italy relationship in the last few years. Mr Conte extended an invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit Italy as soon as conditions permit.