From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Italy-India Joint Strategic Action Plan
Why in the News?
India and Italy signed an ambitious 5-year ‘joint strategic action plan 2025-2029’ that would include cooperation in space sector, critical technology, research, co-production of military equipment and widening the ambit of economic cooperation.
Key Focus Areas of the Joint Strategic Action Plan:
| Details | |
| Political Dialogue | • Regular high-level meetings and reciprocal visits. • Annual bilateral consultations between foreign ministries to discuss mutual interests. |
| Economic Cooperation | • Boosting trade, market access, and investments in sectors like transportation, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and green technologies. • Promoting industrial partnerships and mutual investments. |
| Connectivity | • Collaborating on sustainable transport initiatives. • Enhancing maritime and land infrastructure, participating in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC). |
| Science, Technology, IT, Innovation | • Cooperation in emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), telecommunications, and digital services. • Innovation, research collaborations, and exchange programs for scientific growth. |
| Space Sector | • Collaboration between the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in Earth observation and lunar science. • Facilitating mutual commercial space collaborations. |
| Energy Transition | • Technology summits in renewable energy. • Cooperation in green hydrogen, biofuels, and energy efficiency. • Collaboration in global energy alliances like the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and Global Biofuels Alliance. |
| Defence Cooperation | • Joint defence consultations and staff talks. • Co-development of defence platforms and equipment. • Negotiating a Defence Industrial Roadmap. |
| Security Cooperation | • Capacity-building in cybersecurity and counter-terrorism. • Regular exchanges and sector-specific talks in multilateral forums. |
Significance of the Plan:
- Time-Bound Initiatives: It outlines specific, time-bound initiatives to ensure measurable progress and accountability.
- Mutual Growth: By focusing on co-development and co-production, the plan aims to leverage the strengths of both nations for mutual economic and technological advancement.
- Strategic Alignment: The collaboration in areas like defence, energy transition, and space signifies a strategic alignment of interests, enhancing regional and global stability.
- Cultural and People-to-People Ties: Emphasizing cultural exchanges and academic collaborations strengthens the social fabric and mutual understanding between the two countries.
PYQ:[2016] With reference to the ‘Trans-Pacific Partnership’, consider the following statements: 1. It is an agreement among all the Pacific Rim countries except China and Russia. 2. It is a strategic alliance for the purpose of maritime security only. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 |
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