Rajnath Singh asks Italy to avoid defence tech sharing with Pakistan

Union Minister Rajnath Singh holds a bilateral meeting with Italian Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto at Manekshaw Centre, in New Delhi on April 30, 2026 – Photo Credit: ANI

Talks with Italian Defence Minister focus on exclusive technologies, India-Italy cooperation and security concerns

New Delhi : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks with his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto at the Manekshaw Centre on Thursday April 30, 2026, urging Italy to refrain from sharing sensitive defence technologies with Pakistan.

Sources in the Ministry of Defence said Singh asked Italy to stop any potential defence technology collaboration with Pakistan, emphasising India’s security interests. The Italian side, according to sources, assured that certain defence technologies offered to India would remain exclusive and not be shared with other countries.

During the meeting, both leaders reaffirmed that the India-Italy Strategic Partnership is anchored in shared values of peace, stability, freedom and mutual respect.

In a post on X, the Defence Minister said he and his Italian counterpart discussed a wide range of regional and global issues, including the current situation in West Asia. The two Ministers also discussed avenues to further develop mutually beneficial defence industrial cooperation under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat programme and Italy’s defence cooperation initiatives.

The Ministry of Defence said a Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan for 2026-27 was exchanged, outlining future engagements between the armed forces of both countries.

Both sides also highlighted convergence between the two ancient maritime nations on key issues, including enhanced information sharing through the Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region in Gurugram.

Earlier, Crosetto paid homage to fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial and inspected a tri-service Guard of Honour at the Manekshaw Centre.

Meanwhile, the Indian Coast Guard hosted an Italian delegation, including senior representatives from Fincantieri Shipyard, at Coast Guard Headquarters. Both sides deliberated on the indigenous development and co-development of niche technologies such as dynamic positioning systems, advanced thrusters, AI-enabled decision support, counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) or anti-drone defence, and next-generation green propulsion, in alignment with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.