India and Italy held 9th round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in New Delhi (March 2026) to review and expand bilateral cooperation across strategic sectors.
Background
The consultations followed key high-level engagements:
- Narendra Modi – Giorgia Meloni Meeting at G20 Summit, Johannesburg (Nov 2025)
- S. Jaishankar – Antonio Tajani Meeting in Delhi (Dec 2025)
Key Agenda
- Review of: Entire spectrum of India–Italy bilateral relations
- Focus on: Trade, technology, defence, mobility, and global issues
Joint Strategic Action Plan (JSAP) 2025–29
The consultations reviewed progress under the JSAP 2025–29, which is the roadmap for bilateral cooperation.
Key Areas of Cooperation
- Trade and economy
- Technology & innovation
- Space cooperation
- Defence & security
- Counter-terrorism
- Renewable energy
- Education & people-to-people ties
Both sides agreed to ensure timely implementation through institutional mechanisms
Security and Counter-Terrorism Cooperation
- Agreement to Expedite implementation of: India–Italy Joint Initiative to Counter Financing of Terrorism
- Reaffirmed commitment to: Comprehensive counter-terrorism cooperation
Maritime Cooperation
- Plan to hold: First India–Italy Maritime Security Dialogue
Objective
- Enhance cooperation in:
- Maritime safety
- Security
- Blue economy
India–EU Dimension
Both sides discussed broader cooperation under the India–EU framework:
- Welcomed progress on:
- India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations
- Security and Defence Partnership
- Mobility cooperation framework
- Expressed hope for: Early signing and implementation of FTA
Mobility and Skill Cooperation
- Focus on: Migration and Mobility Agreement
Key Areas
- Skilled workforce mobility
- Healthcare sector collaboration
- Capacity building and skilling
Regional & Global Issues
- Discussions on:
- Indo-Pacific region
- West Asia
- Global geopolitical developments
Reflects convergence of interests in strategic and geopolitical domains
Next Steps
- Agreement to: Continue regular consultations
- Next FOC: To be held in Italy
Significance
- Strengthening Strategic Partnership Enhances: India’s engagement with Europe
- Security Collaboration: Focus on Terror financing and Maritime security
- Mobility & Human Capital Facilitates: Skilled migration and Workforce collaboration
- Economic Cooperation
- Boost to: Trade and investment
- Linked to: India–EU FTA
Static Facts
Foreign Office Consultations (FOC)
- Regular diplomatic mechanism
- Used for: Reviewing bilateral relations and Setting future agenda
India–Italy Relations
- Established: 1947
- Upgraded to: Strategic Partnership (2023)
Countering Financing of Terrorism (CFT)
- Focuses on: Disrupting financial networks of terror groups
Migration and Mobility Agreements
- Facilitate: Legal migration, Skill exchange and Labour mobility