Italian firm Finmeccanica are makers of world-class Frigates and Destroyers

Italy will be making a strong pitch for greater defence cooperation during the working visit of Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte will be on a day-long maiden visit to India today

by Geeta Mohan

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte arrives in New Delhi after five months of assuming office. Italy will be making a strong pitch for greater defence cooperation during the 'working visit'.

The Italian premier wants to integrate Leonardo (formerly Finmeccanica), the new defence company, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' programme. Both the PMs will be addressing the valedictory session of India-Italy Technology Summit.

Conte in a written interview to Geeta Mohan, foreign affairs editor, India Today TV, invited PM Modi to Italy and focused on areas of cooperation and global issues that impact both the nations such as Russia, US sanctions on Iran as also what makes Italy click with Indian celebrities and their big fat Bollywood weddings.

You came in with the promise of fighting corruption, illegal immigration, cutting taxes and of course lifting off sanctions against Russia. How have your policies been received so far?

I think that in the past five months, since day one as Italian Prime Minister, we have already achieved significant results in many of the areas that you highlight. My Government has taken an uncompromising stand against corruption and adopted a zero tolerance policy: we shall only accept the highest standards in public office. On migration, I should at the outset make a clear distinction between regular and irregular migration flows. Regular flows offer a positive contribution to growth and development. Irregular flows are not just disruptive but often turn into an immense human tragedy: the first victims are the migrants themselves. Traffickers should be stopped. This was one of our priorities and we have been remarkably successful. The figures are telling: we have reduced arrivals of irregular migrants to Italy by 80% compared to 2017. This has not been easy to achieve: we need to stay focused and determined. Irregular migration flows require a shared responsibility and a multilevel response, involving countries of origin, transit and destination. Human rights must be ensured to all people on the move. But we cannot and will not tolerate human trafficking. We will not permit to criminals to earn substantial profits out of the misery of thousands of prospective migrants, trapped into the smugglers' net. We want to put an end to this business model and we will stand firm on this.

Russia is an important bilateral partner and a key actor in facing regional and global challenges. We need to engage and not to isolate Russia. I am a strong believer in dialogue and Italy is historically well placed to promote cooperation with Russia. My very recent trip to Moscow was a wonderful opportunity to reaffirm these principles. We are working with our European partners to try to find together ways and means to translate these principles into practice, without calling into questions our European and Euro-Atlantic commitments.

This is your first bilateral meeting with PM Modi. What are your expectations?

India and Italy share the same principles of democracy, pluralism and respect for human rights. We also believe in effective multi-lateralism and the need to uphold a rules-based system of international governance, with the UN at its core. We are convinced that by working together we can promote a free and fair system of international trade, fighting off protectionism while managing globalisation and minimising its distortions, to ensure a fully dignified life to all citizens, with no one left behind. We face the same global challenges, such as the fight against climate change or the implementation of Agenda 2030. We both belong to the G20 and we can pro-actively work towards the achievement of such goals. PM Modi and I will also discuss a broad spectrum of topics pertaining to the bilateral agenda. India's economy is one of the world's largest and the fastest growing in the G20. Italy is the second largest manufacturer in Europe, it has the third largest GDP in the Eurozone, with an export-led economy open to global trade. Bilateral trade is growing, together with a healthy flow of investments; but we can do more to foster cooperation in sectors ranging from infrastructures and renewables to defence and food-processing. Also in the perspective of "Brexit", I trust that India and Italy will find new avenues for cooperation. I see Italy's participation in the Technology Summit as "partner country" as just the beginning of a dynamic partnership in innovation and cutting edge technology. We already have a good record of joint research and collaboration between universities and academia but we can improve. These are just some of the possible topics for discussion. This will be my first one to one meeting with PM Modi and I look forward to discussing how best to advance our partnership and bring forward a program of joint work.

The Tech Summit is a huge initiative. What do both countries have to gain out of it. Which are the areas that would see most impact of Italian technology?

Italy is participating, upon India's invitation, as "Partner Country" to the 2018 edition of the Tech Summit. The response from the business sector, research and academia has been very positive. More than 60 Italian companies will be present at the Tech Summit, where they will display the latest developments and cutting edge innovation in a broad spectrum of sectors, such as environment, energy, information and communication technology, aerospace, medical science but also the preservation of cultural heritage. The Tech Summit 2018 will significantly contribute towards further progress in bilateral cooperation in the field of science and technology. It will be an outstanding opportunity to strengthen industrial and scientific links between Italian and Indian companies, as well as for universities and research centers to discuss respective accomplishments and new perspectives of cooperation. We are convinced that we can push our relations in the field of scientific research and industrial innovation to a new level, also in terms of an increased volume of investments. Our common goal is to become strategic partners in order to face together challenges such as environmental sustainability and energy supply.

Counter terrorism and fighting extremism is important. There can be no good or bad terrorists. Does Italy stand with India in condemning terrorism of all kind. What is the kind of cooperation on that front?

The global nature of terrorist threat requires a global response. The largest number of Italian casualties due to a terrorist attack in recent years was in Bangladesh: nine Italian citizens were murdered at the Holey Bakery attack in Dhaka in July 2016. Not in Italy, Europe or the Middle East, but in South Asia. This is tangible evidence of the need to expand the scope of counter terrorist cooperation: South Asia and South East Asia are also our neighbours. Italy takes a comprehensive approach to preventing and countering terrorism, built on diplomatic, law enforcement and intelligence measures directed at defeating existing terrorist groups. The prevention of radicalisation is equally important and requires a holistic approach. Let me also underline the need of information and intelligence sharing, notably when dealing with the possible return of foreign terrorist fighters from conflict zones. Disrupting the financing of terrorist activities is also fundamental. An effective and prompt international communication among authorities and a proactive partnership with the private sector can make the difference in handling the global terrorist financing risks. With India, we have established a (Counter Terrorism) CT working group. I think it has already been proven a useful tool, but we need to do more to face the global threat.

In the global scenario, how do you see the US sanctions against Russia and Iran? Can sanctions be a solution?

First of all, we firmly believe that sanctions are an instrument, not a goal or a policy. They make sense only if pursuing political solutions, not replacing them. Therefore, to be effective, they must be widely shared at the international level. They should also be conceived according to parameters of proportionality and reversibility, consistently with their aim.

With reference to Iran, we support the JCPoA. Its implementation can enhance international and regional security and encourage mutual trust among the parties involved. We are keen to identify options and policies designed to preserve the Agreement and the economic cooperation with Iran.

Do you see Italy becoming an important defence partner. With Finmeccanica under Indian government's radar and AgustaWestland out, how is Italy looking at entering this space yet again? Will there be a big pitch for Make In India?

Italy and India can forge a mutually beneficial partnership in the defence sector. Contacts between Defence Ministries in this field have increasingly intensified this year, as proved by the reactivation of the Joint Defence Committee.

When it comes to the defence industry and procurement, Italian companies have developed an outstanding expertise, which can contribute significantly to the "Make in India" flagship program.

Let me recall that the case of AgustaWestland was originally raised in Italy by Italian investigators. The Judiciary has now completed the whole trial procedure which came to the final sentence of acquittal for the former CEOs of the Company.

In the meantime, Leonardo (formerly Finmeccanica) has joined the United Nations Global Compact, which is the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative. Leonardo's participation in the UN Global Compact means that its strategies and operations align with universal principles on labor rights, environment and anti-corruption.

The slogan of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Italy and India was Celebrating the Future. What can we expect next?

We expect this Tech Summit to give us the opportunity to forge a comprehensive and dynamic partnership, driven by innovation and cutting edge technology.

And of course, we wish to welcome soon Prime Minister Modi to Italy, where a well-integrated and supportive Indian community is growing peacefully every day.

Finally, apart from being the fashion hub, Italy is also fast becoming the destination for celebrity weddings from India. After Anushka-Virat Kohli, we hear Bollywood stars Deepika Padukone and Ranvir Singh plan to get married in Italy. What's the great pull?

Italy has always been an extraordinary destination. Think about the Grand Tour, extremely popular throughout the 18th century. Our millenary culture, the sense of hospitality, the breath-taking landscapes, fashion, design, cinema and gastronomy are just a few of the factors so powerful to magnetise and entertain the visitors from across the world. I am quite sure that also the Bollywood celebs share my thoughts and just fell in love with our countryside villages so rich in enrooted traditions, our unique and vivid cities made even more precious by the warmth and welcoming smiles of the locals and our mountains, so similar to the Himalayan range. So, who doesn't want to celebrate one of the best days in life in such a heavenly scenario?