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.

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Earlier in the day, President Dissanayake paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, accompanied by Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, L Murugan. Sharing this moment on X, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal remarked, “President @anuradisanayake of Sri Lanka paid his respects to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat this morning. Bapu’s timeless values of truth and non-violence continue to inspire humanity all over the world.”

President Dissanayake was accorded a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he was received by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Following the Guard of Honour presented by the combined defence services, the leaders introduced their respective ministers, diplomats, and officials to each other. The Sri Lankan President also shared a video on X, showcasing his ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The Sri Lankan President’s state visit to India, scheduled from December 15 to December 17, marks his first bilateral trip to the country since assuming office in September. Upon arrival in Delhi on Sunday, President Dissanayake met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Union Minister L Murugan welcomed him at the airport.

President Dissanayake reflected on these discussions in a post on X, stating, “During my official visit to India, I had the privilege of engaging in productive discussions with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Shri Ajit Doval. Our conversations focused on strengthening Indo-Sri Lanka economic cooperation, enhancing investment opportunities, fostering regional security, and advancing key sectors such as tourism and energy. These engagements reaffirm the commitment to deepening the partnership between our two nations.”

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted Sri Lanka’s vital role in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision. In a post on X, he wrote, “Pleased to call on President @anuradisanayake at the start of his first State Visit to India. Sri Lanka is key to both India’s Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR Outlook. Confident that the talks with PM @narendramodi tomorrow will lead to greater trust and deeper cooperation.”

The MEA emphasized the significance of the visit, stating, “Sri Lanka is India’s closest maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and holds a central place in Prime Minister’s vision of ‘SAGAR’ and India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.” The ministry also confirmed that President Dissanayake’s engagements in India would include participation in a business event in Delhi and a visit to Bodh Gaya.

The visit underscores the commitment of both nations to deepening their multi-faceted cooperation, encompassing economic, security, and cultural ties. Both leaders are expected to make significant strides in strengthening the partnership between New Delhi and Colombo during this historic state visit.

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