1. INDIA – ITALY RELATIONS

2. Paolo Gentiloni
Narendra Modi

3. Historical Underpinnings:
India and Italy are ancient civilizations but young states (Italy having been reunified only in 1861)
The classical languages, Sanskrit and Latin both belong to the Indo-European language family.
Works from authors make references to India such as
Diodorus Siculus' Library of History
Arrian’s Indika
Pliny the Elder’s Natural History
Trade links flourished between India and the Roman Empire, particularly in the first and second century AD. 
Roman coins found in Tamil Nadu.

4. The Venetian merchant Marco Polo, during his travels to the east, also traveled to India in the 13th century and wrote about his experiences.
Nicolo de Conti in 1420’s: Travelled Indian peninsula from coast to coast, and also moved inland to Vijayanagar
Cesare Federici in 1560’s : visited Vijayanagar and the present-day state of Kerala
Nicolo’ Manucci : served the Mughal Empire and would eventually die in India

5. During the British Period :
Italian scholars participated in Sanskrit studies, and Gaspare Gorresio created the first Chair of Sanskrit in Italy at the University of Turin in Gorresio translated the Ramayana into Italian.
The Italian unification movement inspired some Indian freedom fighters, and the works of the Italian patriot Giuseppe Mazzini were translated and widely read by Indian intelligentsia
Mahatma Gandhi accepted an invitation to visit Rome in December 1931 and meet then-Prime Minister Benito Mussolini. He hailed Gandhi as a "genius and a saint" and admired his ability to challenge the British Empire

6. Relations with Independent India :
Diplomatic relations between the Republic of India and the Italian Republic were established in 1947.
Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru visited Italy in 1953.
President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro was the first Italian head of state to visit India in February 1995. 
In : An Italy - India Parliamentary Friendship Association was established.
Year 2011 was marked by visit of then EAM Shri SM Krishna to Italy to participate in the 150th anniversary celebrations of Italy’s unification.
In 2012 : Italian marine case

7. Italian marine case: What's the case?
Two Italian marines killed two Indian fishermen in 2012.
What’s the Issue ?
It’s about India’s jurisdiction to try Italian marines .
Italy went to UN arbitration tribunal and it has ruled that Italian marines can return to Italy until it decides the dispute raised by Italy about India’s jurisdiction.
Subsequent to tribunal ruling, The Supreme Court ruled that Italian marines can return to Italy. The Supreme Court laid down conditions:
They continue to remain under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and report to the local police station in Italy once every month. Also, the Italian authorities will keep the Indian embassy informed.
Envoy’s responsibility: The Italian Ambassador will take the responsibility of ensuring his return within a month in case the tribunal rules in favour of trial in India

8. Due to internal pressure India has rejected Italian argument and has invoked its sovereign right to prosecute the accused under the provisions of Indian law.
In June 2015 Italy approached the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in Hamburg. The tribunal is adjudicating only on the limited question of whether India or Italy has the jurisdiction to try the two marines.
In August 2015 ITLOS ordered that: “Italy and India shall suspend all court proceedings and refrain from initiating new ones which might aggravate or extend the dispute submitted to the Annex VII arbitral tribunal or might jeopardise or prejudice the carrying out of any decision which the arbitral tribunal may render.”
After the ITLOS ruling, both parties agreed that the dispute would be resolved under the UNCLOS tribunal.
May 2, 2016: A U.N. arbitration court rules that India should release Italian marines
The case is being heard at the ICJ – Contention is that the vessel was in International waters…

9. ITLOS is an intergovernmental organization created by the mandate of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea.
It was signed at Montego Bay, Jamaica, in 1982.
The tribunal is based in Hamburg, Germany.
The Tribunal has the power to settle disputes between party states.

12. Trade Relations:
Italy is India’s fifth largest trading partner in the European Union (EU) with a bilateral trade of $8.79 billion in
India’s exports to Italy are at $4.90 billion, while its imports are at $3.89 billion, resulting in a trade imbalance of $1 billion in favour of India
There are more than 600 Italian companies with offices in India in areas ranging from fashion to textiles and textile machinery, auto components, energy and insurance.
Hundreds of Italian companies are in India and are also part of the Make-in-India initiative .
Italy is among top defence manufacturers in Europe

14. Other relations :
India and Italy are fighting against terrorism and both the nations are committed against climate change.
Both the nations share common democratic values and share a rule-based approach to the international system.
Italy’s support for India’s candidature at the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in 2016 was an important marker in multilateral collaboration and indicated Rome’s long-term commitment to supporting India’s role in the export control regimes.
Italian supportive role in the EU and NSG will help our cause with the EU-India FTA (Free Trade Agreement) and out bid for NSG membership.

19. Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) :
Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is a group of nuclear supplier countries that seek to prevent nuclear proliferation by controlling the export of materials, equipment, and technology that can be used to manufacture Nuclear Weapons.
The Australia Group: The Australia Group is an informal forum of countries that seeks to ensure that exports do not contribute to the development of chemical or biological weapons..
Wassenaar Arrangement: Wassenaar Arrangement was established to contribute to regional and international security and stability. It aims to promote transparency and greater responsibility in transfer of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies.