India, Italy Discuss Institutionalising Naval Engagements and Expanding Maritime Cooperation

The discussions took place in New Delhi on Friday during a meeting between Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and Italian Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto, who is on an official visit to India.

Admiral Bergotto was received by Admiral Swaminathan and accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the South Block Lawns in the national capital.

According to the Indian Navy, the discussions focused on institutionalising navy-to-navy engagements, including bilateral naval exercises and staff talks, as well as improving operational cooperation through greater maritime interaction and interoperability.

The two sides also explored opportunities to expand multilateral cooperation on shared maritime security priorities and strengthen professional exchanges through training programmes and the sharing of best practices.

The engagement builds on the momentum of the India–Italy Special Strategic Partnership, with both countries seeking to deepen defence cooperation and improve coordination in maritime affairs.

Earlier, on October 21, the Italian Navy's Multi-Purpose Combat Ship (MPCS) Giovanni delle Bande Nere arrived in Mumbai as part of Italy's operational deployment in the Indo-Pacific region.

Italy's Consul General in Mumbai, Walter Ferrara, welcomed the vessel during its port call. According to the Italian Consulate General, the visit highlighted Italy's commitment to naval diplomacy, international cooperation, defence technology and closer engagement with partner navies.

The deployment also underscored the importance of protecting maritime communication routes and safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific.

The latest naval engagement follows broader cooperation between India and Italy on security issues. On October 6–7, the two countries held the sixth meeting of the India–Italy Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime and the second meeting of the India–Italy Permanent Task Force on Countering Financing of Terrorism in New Delhi.

Those discussions covered counter-terrorism, organised crime, drug trafficking and emerging regional and global terrorist threats. Officials from the two countries also discussed strengthening information exchange and capacity-building to address the misuse of emerging technologies, including information, communication and financial technologies, for terrorist activities.

Both sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, and reiterated their condemnation of the April 22, 2025, terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

The series of engagements reflects the expanding scope of India–Italy cooperation, spanning naval coordination, maritime security, counter-terrorism and efforts to address emerging transnational threats.