- Italian Counterpart Presented Guard of Honour, Paid Tribute at National War Memorial
New Delhi, April 30 (H.S.): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks with his Italian counterpart Mr. Guido Crosetto at Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. He reiterated that India-Italy strategic partnership rests on shared values of peace, stability, freedom, and mutual respect. The Italian Defence Minister received Guard of Honour upon arrival for bilateral discussions. Guido Crosetto laid wreath at National War Memorial, paying homage to brave soldiers who made supreme sacrifice in national service.
During talks, both sides exchanged 2026-27 bilateral military cooperation plan outlining military engagement roadmap. Rajnath Singh stated, Delighted to welcome Italian counterpart in Delhi today and hold extensive discussions. We discussed current West Asia situation along with several regional and global issues. We also explored ways to enhance mutually beneficial defence industrial cooperation under 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' programme and Italy's defence cooperation initiatives.
Both ministers discussed various defence cooperation matters and shared views on regional-global issues amid evolving security landscape. They reaffirmed India-Italy strategic partnership founded on shared values of peace, stability, freedom, and mutual respect. Post Rajnath Singh's October 2023 Rome visit, India-Italy defence cooperation gained momentum. Crosetto's first India visit reflects intent to expand existing cooperation, particularly exploring new areas in industrial partnership.
Meeting emphasised maritime coordination between two ancient maritime nations on critical sea issues, including information exchange via Gurugram's Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region. India-EU defence and strategic partnership agreement signed January this year boosts strategic synergy, accelerating defence industry cooperation while encouraging new opportunities in shared interest areas.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
