During the MCG meeting, officials from both countries reviewed current defence engagements and explored ways to optimise future collaboration
India and Italy have taken fresh steps to strengthen their defence ties, with a two-day meeting in Rome focusing on expanding military cooperation, particularly in capability development and armed forces collaboration, the Ministry of Defence said on Saturday.
The discussions, held as part of the 13th edition of the India-Italy Military Cooperation Group (MCG) on March 20 and 21, came just months after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced a five-year strategic action plan. The plan, unveiled during their meeting at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro in November, aims to deepen cooperation in key sectors including defence and security.
During the MCG meeting, officials from both countries reviewed current defence engagements and explored ways to optimise future collaboration. They also assessed the overall security landscape in the Indo-Pacific region, a critical area for both countries’ strategic interests.
According to the defence ministry, the talks centred on identifying new avenues to broaden military cooperation. “Key agenda points included enhanced exchange programmes, capability development efforts and strengthening collaboration between the Indian and Italian armed forces,” the ministry noted in its statement.
The MCG is a vital institutional platform that facilitates military-to-military engagements and strategic cooperation between the two nations’ armed forces. Its objective is to ensure steady progress in defence relations, focusing on shared interests and emerging security challenges.
The meeting was co-chaired by the Deputy Assistant Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (IDC-A) from India’s Integrated Defence Staff headquarters, and the Deputy Head of the Strategic Direction and Military Cooperation Division of the Italian Defence General Staff.
Both sides are expected to continue building on the outcomes of the meeting, paving the way for expanded defence ties in line with the broader strategic partnership outlined by the two prime ministers.
