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The article centers on Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani's reaction to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India, and his perspective on the burgeoning relationship between Italy and India. Tajani unequivocally condemned the attack, expressing Italy's unwavering commitment to combating terrorism and offering condolences to the victims' families and the Indian people. He highlighted Prime Minister Meloni's conversation with Prime Minister Modi, emphasizing their shared resolve in fighting terrorism and upholding democratic values. The attack, tragically targeting civilians and tourists, underscores the persistent threat of terrorism and the necessity for international cooperation to safeguard freedom and tolerance in democratic societies. The timing of the attack, coinciding with global mourning for Pope Francis, adds another layer of reflection, as Tajani recalls the Pope's tireless advocacy for peace and his emphasis on the centrality of the human being, urging leaders to prioritize service and humanity in their actions. The Pope's concerns about artificial intelligence and his belief in Europe's role in crisis management further resonate with Tajani's views on global challenges and international cooperation.
Tajani's visit to India served as a catalyst for strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. The focus of the visit was to advance the Joint Action Plan agreed upon in November of the previous year, encompassing political dialogue, economic cooperation (trade and investments), space and defence collaboration, energy transition initiatives, cultural exchanges, sports development, and advancements in science and technology. Innovation was given a special emphasis, reflecting a mutual desire to foster creativity and technological progress. Tajani also expressed commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership between Italy and India, particularly within the context of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) initiative. He views the IMEC as a modern iteration of the ancient trade route connecting Rome and India, highlighting the historical ties and the potential for enhanced connectivity and trade in the present day. The visit yielded significant outcomes, including the announcement of new investments by Italian companies amounting to 470 million euros. Furthermore, governmental agencies from both countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to stimulate further investments. The opening of a SIMEST office in Delhi, coupled with a dedicated line of financing for operations in India, underscores Italy's commitment to facilitating business growth and investment opportunities. The establishment of "Innovit Bangalore" aims to foster synergies between innovation ecosystems, while an acceleration program for start-ups will further support entrepreneurship and technological development. The success of the business forum prompted plans for a follow-up event in Brescia, Italy, focusing on deepening economic dialogue and collaboration between companies from both countries.
The deepening of cooperation extends beyond economics and trade to include science, sport, and culture. A science dialogue between universities, research centers, and Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) seeks to identify complementarities in various scientific sectors. The establishment of a Space Attaché at the Italian Embassy in Delhi and a bilateral space dialogue underscore the commitment to collaboration in space exploration and technology. Furthermore, the appointment of a second Scientific Attaché in Bengaluru highlights the growing importance of scientific collaboration in that region. The signing of agreements with the Indian Ministry of Science will promote joint initiatives and the mobility of researchers in crucial fields such as biomedical robotics, green energy, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and gene therapy. Tajani emphasized the immense potential for further dialogue and collaboration in culture, sport, food, and wine, showcasing the diverse aspects of Italian culture and expertise. The unveiling of Caravaggio's 'Magdalene in Ecstasy' at the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre in Delhi marked a significant cultural milestone, being the first time a masterpiece by Caravaggio has been exhibited in India. The inauguration of the 'Mosaic' exhibition at Humayun's Tomb Museum offers an immersive journey through history and a display of ancient Roman mosaics. An exhibition showcasing Italian craftsmanship and innovation in the textile sector further demonstrates the cultural richness and industrial prowess of Italy. The launch of the 'Common goal' initiative, which will bring coaches from Italian football league Serie A clubs to teach football to underprivileged children in India, signifies a commitment to sport development and social responsibility. In the opposite direction, a collaboration program in cricket aims to foster talent exchange and strengthen sporting ties. The promotion of Italian cuisine, highlighting its candidature for UNESCO patrimony status, underscores the importance of cultural heritage and culinary excellence. Finally, the announcement by the main Italian news agency, ANSA, of the opening of ANSA-India, a portal dedicated to India, and the establishment of a full-fledged office in Delhi signifies a commitment to enhanced news coverage and information sharing.
The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), launched during Prime Minister Meloni's visit to the G20 summit in 2023, is viewed as a strategic and visionary project that will significantly contribute to strengthening Indo-Mediterranean connectivity and trade, enhancing exchanges, investments, and data flows. Tajani believes that the IMEC has the potential to positively impact the peace process in the Middle East. The appointment of a special envoy for IMEC and the intention to convene a Foreign Ministers' meeting in Trieste, engaging the countries along the IMEC corridor, demonstrate Italy's commitment to actively promoting and developing the initiative. Furthermore, the defence relationship between Italy and India has progressed in recent years, with an increase in the number of port calls by Italian Navy ships to Indian docks. Direct contacts between defence companies are ongoing, with discussions at the Business Forum in Delhi and during the Joint Defence Committee in Rome. Italy intends to maintain this dynamic dialogue, with the goal of identifying co-development and co-production projects that leverage synergies between the two countries' defence industries. A potential visit to India by the Italian Defence Minister would further strengthen these ties and explore avenues for collaboration.
Addressing the potential impact of US administration policies, particularly the imposition of universal tariffs, Tajani stated Italy's preference for negotiation over confrontation. He emphasized that a trade war would be detrimental to all parties involved. Prime Minister Meloni's meeting with President Trump was considered a crucial step towards strengthening Italy's relationship with the US and resuming a path of cooperation that would benefit both countries and Europe as a whole. Tajani acknowledged the US as an indispensable ally and partner, highlighting the government's commitment to relaunching relations with Washington. The issue of tariffs, he stated, should be addressed carefully and without panic, emphasizing the importance of negotiation over frontal opposition. The rapport between Prime Ministers Modi and Meloni is viewed as highly positive, based on good chemistry and a shared approach of pursuing national interests without ideological prejudices. The strong and promising complementarities between Italy and India, both democracies with rich cultures and civilizational heritage, contribute to the close relationship. Both nations are strategically located at the heart of the Indo-Mediterranean region, poised for greater integration. Italy strongly supports the conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and Europe, believing that it would be a game-changer for cooperation and unlock the unexpressed potential of their trade and industrial partnership. Tajani stressed that India is a strategic market for Italian companies and exports, but reaching an agreement requires flexibility from both sides. Addressing concerns about immigration, Tajani clarified that it does not impact the mobility of Indians to Italy. A bilateral agreement on mobility and migration has been signed to encourage the circulation of talent and prevent irregular migration. Italy hosts a significant community of citizens of Indian origin who are well-integrated into the economy and society. The goal is to further improve the professional integration of Indian talents who wish to live and work in Italy, facilitated by the mobility agreement.
Source: Horrendous, no room for barbarity in democratic societies: Italy Dy PM Tajani on Pahalgam attack