India, Italy Discuss Steps to Strengthen Counter-Terrorism Cooperation

India and Italy have reaffirmed their opposition to terrorism in all its forms and discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation in counter-terrorism, including efforts to combat terror financing.

The discussions took place during a meeting between Sibi George, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, and Paolo Mari, Director for G7-G20, Transnational Threats and Integrated Strategy at Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Mari is visiting New Delhi to co-chair the sixth meeting of the India-Italy Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the two officials discussed measures to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation and advance their Joint Initiative on Countering Financing of Terrorism.

India and Italy have previously reiterated their commitment to tackling terrorist networks, safe havens and the financing of terrorism.

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official visit to Italy in May, he held talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, with both leaders condemning terrorism and violent extremism, including cross-border terrorism.

The two leaders called on countries to work towards dismantling terrorist safe havens and infrastructure, disrupting terrorist networks and preventing the financing of terrorism in line with Financial Action Task Force guidelines.

They also welcomed the first meeting of the Permanent Task Force between India and Italy on countering the financing of terrorism and the planned meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism.

In their joint declaration, Modi and Meloni condemned the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack and reiterated their commitment to cooperating against terrorist organisations, their affiliates and individuals covered under the UN Security Council's 1267 sanctions regime.

The two sides also agreed to continue working together through multilateral platforms including the United Nations and FATF.

During the talks, Modi and Meloni also noted progress in India-Italy defence cooperation, including ministerial-level engagement, military-to-military ties and port visits. They welcomed a Joint Declaration of Intent and a Defence Industrial Roadmap aimed at promoting technological cooperation, co-production and co-development in areas including helicopters, naval platforms, marine armament and electronic warfare.