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Rajnath Singh cautioned that advanced defence systems transferred to Pakistan could be misused, including for activities linked to terrorism, the sources said
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday conveyed India’s concerns to Italy over the sharing of sensitive defence technologies with Pakistan, during talks aimed at expanding bilateral military and industrial cooperation.
The issue was raised at a meeting between Singh and Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto at the Manekshaw Centre here, where the two sides reviewed the growing India-Italy strategic partnership.
Singh cautioned that advanced defence systems transferred to Pakistan could be misused, including for activities linked to terrorism, the sources said.
The Italian minister’s visit comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first bilateral visit to Italy, scheduled in the coming weeks. PM Modi has earlier visited Italy for multilateral engagements such as the G20 and G7 summits.
According to an official statement, the discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between the two countries, which share interests in maritime security and advanced technologies. The ministers reiterated that the India-Italy strategic partnership is rooted in common values of peace, stability, freedom and mutual respect.
Both sides agreed to explore collaboration in advanced and niche defence technologies and joint industrial projects under India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative and Italy’s defence cooperation framework.
Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan
They also exchanged a Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan for 2026-27, which envisages enhanced engagements between the armed forces of the two countries, including joint exercises, training programmes and greater operational interaction.
The meeting comes after recent progress in defence ties as Singh and Crosetto signed a Defence Cooperation Agreement in Rome covering policy coordination, research and development, military education and industrial collaboration, including co-development and joint ventures in 2023.
The two countries later adopted a Joint Strategic Action Plan for 2025-2029, which includes a dedicated defence pillar and plans for a defence industrial roadmap.
Italy, a NATO member, has been seeking to expand its defence exports and technology partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.
For India, the engagement aligns with its push for indigenous defence manufacturing while selectively pursuing foreign collaborations under strict safeguards, the statement said.
April 30, 2026, 11:50 PM IST
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