India and Italy Bolster Counterterrorism and Crime-Fighting Cooperation at 5th JWG Meeting
Rome, January 19, 2025: India and Italy have reaffirmed their commitment to enhance cooperation in tackling terrorism and organised crime on the global stage during the 5th Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting on Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime. The meeting, held on January 16-17, 2025, in Rome, provided a platform for both nations to discuss ongoing efforts and strategies to combat these pressing global threats.
The discussions were co-chaired by India’s Joint Secretary for Counter Terrorism in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), KD Dewal, and Italy’s Senior Deputy Director for Political Affairs and Director for Security of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Alessandro Azzoni.
Strengthening Multilateral Cooperation
A key outcome of the meeting was the reaffirmation of both countries’ dedication to cooperation in multilateral fora such as the United Nations, the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the dialogue reflected the strategic partnership between India and Italy, underscoring their shared resolve to confront terrorism and transnational organised crime through international collaboration.
“The two sides discussed the importance of advancing the ongoing negotiations on various bilateral agreements aimed at strengthening mutual cooperation,” the MEA statement read.
Focus on Technology and Prosecution
Both delegations paid particular attention to the misuse of technology for terrorist purposes. As terrorism increasingly exploits advancements in digital technology, India and Italy recognised the urgent need to enhance cooperative measures to prevent and mitigate this threat. Both countries emphasized the importance of an effective legal framework and the prosecution of those responsible for terrorist activities.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to exchange views on a wide range of areas related to counterterrorism and organised crime, with both sides agreeing to strengthen joint efforts to address the evolving threats.
Capacity-Building Initiatives
In a significant development, the Indian delegation also visited the Inter-agency Law Enforcement Academy in Caserta, Italy. During this visit, they held discussions with Italian officials on possible capacity-building initiatives between the Academy and its Indian counterparts. The collaboration is expected to further bolster the ability of both countries’ law enforcement agencies to effectively address security challenges.
Future Engagement
The successful outcomes of the 5th JWG meeting set the stage for continued collaboration between India and Italy. The two sides agreed to hold the next Joint Working Group meeting in Delhi at a mutually convenient time. This ongoing dialogue reaffirms the strong bilateral relationship between the two nations and their shared commitment to global security.
As both India and Italy continue to strengthen their partnership in counterterrorism and organised crime, their cooperation is set to play an essential role in advancing international security efforts.
