During a meeting on Thursday, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto exchanged a Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan for 2026-27, aimed at enhancing military engagements between the two nations. Singh expressed India's concerns regarding the transfer of sensitive defense technologies to Pakistan. The ministers reaffirmed the strategic partnership based on shared values of peace and mutual respect while discussing avenues for defense industrial cooperation under India's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The Italian minister's visit coincides with Italy's efforts to re-establish its presence in the Indian defense market, highlighted by a recent partnership between Leonardo and the Adani Group for helicopter manufacturing. Additionally, they addressed key maritime issues and the importance of information sharing through the Information Fusion Center-Indian Ocean Region. The meeting also included a discussion on regional stability, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, and the need for enhanced cooperation in defense and security operations. Singh's earlier visit to Rome in October 2023 has further strengthened defense ties, paving the way for future collaborations.