• In this era of 'polycrisis,' Italy and India share mutual interests as well as common challenges in the Indo-Mediterranean region. This area is crucial for global trade, particularly for Italy, which is the world's sixth-largest exporter.
• Additionally, it plays an important role in digital connectivity, with the Blue-Raman submarine data cables soon linking Genoa and Mumbai.
• Issues such as piracy in the Red Sea, conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, and the impact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine on agricultural and oil trade demand collaborative efforts to ensure a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Mediterranean.
• As a result, Italy has intensified its security and defense engagement in the Indian Ocean and West Asia. In addition to joining the Group of Friends of UNCLOS in 2021, Italy is the second-largest contributor to the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Atalanta and the European Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz (EMASoH).
• From February 2024, Italy has taken a leading role in the EU military operation, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, which safeguards freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and Gulf.

Naval Presence

• Italy has also increased its naval presence in India. After joining the Indian Ocean Region's Information Fusion Centre in March 2023, the patrol ship ITS Francesco Morosini visited Mumbai in August 2023.
• Currently, the Italian Carrier Strike Group, comprising the aircraft carrier ITS Cavour and frigate ITS Alpino, is stationed in Goa.
• The tall ship ITS Amerigo Vespucci, the training vessel of the Italian Navy, is expected to visit Mumbai from November 28 to December 2. An "Italy village" is also planned, offering cultural, fashion, and culinary events, as well as conferences and exhibitions.
• The ITS Cavour, built by the Italian shipyard Fincantieri and in service since 2009, is a short take-off and vertical landing ship.
• This versatile vessel can project maritime power, provide logistical support, and assist in environmental and humanitarian missions.
• During its stay, it is hosting PASSEX exercises to enhance mariner skills and strengthen interoperability, and a workshop on defense industry cooperation.
• Additionally, as part of the "Operation Smile" initiative organized by the Smile House Foundation, Italy, the ship is serving as a hospital where Indian and Italian doctors are performing surgeries on children with facial deformities.

Defense Ties

• On a bilateral level, Italy and India's defense cooperation is based on an agreement signed in October 2023, which lays the foundation for expanding ties in areas such as research, industrial cooperation, maritime domain awareness, information sharing, and military-related environmental issues. This cooperation is reinforced by