Written By: Asia Corsano
Edited by Alex Marchan
Supervised by Ginevra Bertamini
On 9 October 2023, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh embarked on a diplomatic visit to France and Italy that will last until the 12th of the same month. Singh is set to meet with his Italian and French counterparts, Guido Crisetto and Sebastien Lecornu, to bolster the Indian strategic defence partnership with these nations and explore opportunities for military industry cooperation (The Times of India, 2023).
The first part of his mission is currently taking place in Rome. The relationship between India and Italy elevated to a strategic partnership in March 2023 during the visit of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to India, when both nations agreed to enhance their cooperation in the field of defence (Wio News, 2023). This visit has already proved to be significant because the collaboration consolidated through the signing of an Agreement on Defence Cooperation between Italy and India (Abp Live, 2023).
Afterwards, Singh will conduct the 5th Annual Defence Dialogue in Paris, an occasion to discuss matters related to industrial cooperation. One of the key elements of this defence-industrial partnership between France and India is the transfer of technology, which India hopes to increase. Moreover, both nations agreed to engage in additional projects aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the Indian submarine fleet. In July, the two countries celebrated the 25thanniversary of their Strategic Partnership, and therefore this visit could strengthen this long-standing collaboration (The Hindustan Times, 2023).
References
Sibal, Sidhunt. (2023, October 6). Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to visit Italy and France next week. Retrieved from: https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-defence-minister-rajnath-singh-to-visit-italy-and-france-next-week-643152
HT Correspondent. (2023, October 8). Defence minister Rajnath Singh to embark on 4-day visit to France, Italy from Monday. Retrieved from: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/defence-minister-rajnath-singh-to-embark-on-4-day-visit-to-france-italy-from-monday-101696773983678.html
ABP News Bureau. (2023, October 10). Rajnath Singh Meets His Italian Counterpart In Rome, Signs Defence Cooperation Agreement. Retrieved from: https://news.abplive.com/news/world/rajnath-singh-meets-his-italian-counterpart-in-rome-signs-defence-cooperation-agreement-1634922
TNN. (2023, October 9). Defence minister Rajnath Singh to visit Italy, France this week to Boost Defence Ties. Retrieved from: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/defence-minister-rajnath-singh-to-visit-italy-france-this-week-to-boost-defence-ties/articleshow/104269731.cms?from=mdr
