India, Italy Expand Defence Industry Cooperation During High-Level Talks in Rome

Rome/New Delhi: India and Italy have agreed to strengthen defence industrial cooperation and deepen strategic engagement following high-level meetings held in Rome on February 26 and 27.

According to official statements and reports from Italian and Indian media outlets, Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar met Italy’s Under Secretary of State for Defence Matteo Perego di Cremnago, National Armaments Director Admiral Giacinto Ottaviani and Chief of Italian Defence Forces General Luciano Portolano during his visit. Both sides described defence cooperation as a key pillar of the broader bilateral strategic partnership and emphasized the importance of building resilient and diversified defence supply chains.

Discussions focused on enhancing industrial collaboration through joint ventures, co-development and co-production initiatives. Officials highlighted opportunities to strengthen linkages between the two countries’ defence manufacturing ecosystems, including cooperation in aerospace, maritime systems and advanced technologies.

Sanjeev Kumar and Admiral Ottaviani also addressed participants at the India–Italy Defence Industry Seminar held in Rome. During the seminar, the Indian side outlined policy reforms in defence procurement, foreign direct investment norms and the role of India’s defence industrial corridors in attracting global partnerships.

Industry representatives from both countries participated in structured business-to-business meetings to explore technology partnerships and manufacturing collaboration. The engagement involved members of the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers and Italy’s defence industry association AIAD, building on their memorandum of understanding signed in 2025.

Officials also noted that the India–EU Security and Defence Partnership signed earlier this year provides additional avenues for Indian companies to engage with European defence supply chains. The Indian delegation met representatives of leading Italian defence firms to assess potential cooperation in joint production and capability development.

The visit reflects a continued effort by both governments to expand institutional defence ties and promote industry-level integration, as India advances its domestic manufacturing agenda and Italy seeks deeper strategic engagement in the Indo-Mediterranean region.