India, Italy talk Ukraine, Afghan crisis; eye partnership for climate transition
THE JOINT STATEMENT SAID JAISHANKAR AND DI MAIO NOTED THE POTENTIAL FOR CLOSER INDUSTRIAL COLLABORATION, INCLUDING IN DEFENCE
NEW DELHI : India and Italy on Friday discussed global security issues such as the Ukraine crisis and the situation in Afghanistan and emphasised the need to safeguard the international order based on the UN Charter, especially respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
At a meeting between external affairs minister S Jaishankar and his visiting Italian counterpart Luigi Di Maio, the two sides agreed to explore new partnerships in areas related to climate transition, such as green hydrogen, bio-fuels, gas transportation and energy storage.
While security issues such as the conflict in Ukraine and the situation in Afghanistan were a key part of the talks between the two foreign ministers, there was a significant trade and technology component in Di Maio’s engagements during his two-day visit. Besides opening a new consulate in Bengaluru on Thursday and holding talks with Piyush Goyal in New Delhi on Friday, Di Maio also visited the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) headquarters.
A joint statement issued after the meeting between the foreign ministers said, “On Ukraine, the two ministers expressed their concern on the ongoing humanitarian crisis and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.” They underlined the importance of safeguarding the international order based on the UN Charter, with “special regard to the respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity”, it added.
The discussions at the meeting between Di Maio and Goyal focused on bilateral and multilateral economic cooperation, and negotiations between India and the EU for agreements on trade, investments and protection of geographic indications.
The joint statement said Jaishankar and Di Maio noted the potential for closer industrial collaboration, including in defence. They also reiterated their commitment to work closely to counter common challenges related to terrorism, violent extremism and cybercrime.
Di Maio and Goyal also co-chaired a roundtable with Italian and Indian companies with interests in sectors such as energy, defence, sustainable mobility and infrastructure.