Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto held a bilateral meeting at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi on Thursday during which they discussed avenues to further develop mutually beneficial defence industrial cooperation under India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat programme and Italy’s defence cooperation initiative.

In a post on X, Rajnath Singh stated that he and his Italian counterpart discussed a wide range of regional and global issues including the current situation in West Asia. 

“Happy to have welcomed my Italian counterpart Mr Guido Crosetto and held extensive talks with him in Delhi today. We discussed a wide range of regional and global issues including the current situation in West Asia. 
 
“We also discussed the avenues to further develop mutually beneficial defence industrial cooperation under India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat programme and Italy’s defence cooperation initiative. A Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan (MCP) 2026-27 was also exchanged regarding military engagements between the Armed forces of both countries,” the Defence Minister’s post read.

Both Ministers reiterated that the India-Italy Strategic Partnership is based on shared values of peace, stability, freedom, and mutual respect.

A ‘Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan for 2026-27’ was also exchanged during the meeting, charting the course for military engagements between the Defence Forces of both countries, an official statement issued by the Indian MoD said.

Convergence between both the ancient sea-faring nations on various key maritime issues was also highlighted, including Information Exchange through Information Fusion Center-Indian Ocean Region, Gurugram.

Prior to the meeting, the Italian Defence Minister laid a wreath at the National War Memorial, and paid homage to the bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation.

The visiting dignitary also inspected the Tri-Service Guard of Honour at the Manekshaw Centre.

India elevated its bilateral ties with Italy to 'Strategic Partnership' in March 2023.