Why a dialogue with India is crucial for the EU and Italy

India emerges as a strategic partner that Italy and Europe cannot afford to neglect. The Dialogue of India 2025 organized by the Istituto Affari Interazionali (IAI) in Rome stressed why New Delhi Matters for Europe’s Global Posture

Occurs in Rome. On Wednesday, a high -level discussion in Rome stressed how Italy and India links strengthen their links.

• The event, organized by Istituto Affari Interazionali (IAI), presented the Indian ambassador to Italy, Vani Rao, the president of IAI Michele Valensise, a retired diplomat, and the former Italian ambassador to India, Vincenzo de Luca.
• The discussions have confirmed the growing relevance of the Indian – Italian relationship, covering economic, industrial, commercial and strategic areas.

Decode the news. At a time marked by fragmentation and systemic crises, India is positioned as a pragmatic power and a central voice from the world South.

• For Europe, the partnership with New Delhi means unlocking new global projection opportunities, diversifying partnerships and improving the resilience of the supply chain.
• The priorities of Italy – from the Mattei plan to Africa to maritime security and Indo -Mediterranean connectivity – are naturally aligned with the evolutionary role of India.

Economic links. While Indian investments in Europe are developing, in particular in machines, pharmaceutical products, biotechnology and health care, Italy emerges as a potential center for these investments.

• India builds its profile as a manufacturing alternative to China, offering Europe a way towards greater strategic autonomy.
• Italy is well placed to serve as a key landing point for the India – Middle East -Europe corridor (IMEC), with Trieste linked to central Europe and the Three Seas initiative.

Technology and industry. There is room to increase cooperation on innovation, clean energy and double -use technologies.

• In particular, the EU Council – India Trade and Technology is one of the only two platforms of this type that New Delhi has established – the other being with the United States.

Strategic alignment. India considers the Mattei plan as a model of infrastructure and technological partnerships in Africa and as a counterweight to Chinese influence.

• Cooperation in maritime security is intensifying: as Italy, India is operationally active in the protection of critical maritime routes of the Western Indian Ocean – from the Horn of Africa to the Red Sea and in the Gulf.
  • This includes converging efforts in naval operations, such as aspids, as well as bilateral and multilateral exercises.
• The two parties share concerns about the security of the supply chain, counter-terrorism and Indo-Pacific stability.

What we look at. The strength of this partnership will depend on the ability to consolidate reliable political and operational frameworks – including strategic dialogues, such as that led by IAI.

• In a multipolar world, Italy can improve its global position by supporting the development of India as a systemic stabilizer and alternative power through Eurasia.
• Much will also depend on how India can translate its economic power into strategic engagement with the EU – meet common challenges in a common way – and how the two parties can act as stabilizers in the broader safety architecture of Indo -Mediterranean.