India and Italy Strengthen Cooperation Against Terrorism, Organised Crime and Terror Financing
India and Italy have stepped up their cooperation on counter-terrorism, organised crime and terrorist financing, with senior officials from both countries holding a series of meetings in New Delhi. The discussions focused on strengthening coordination, sharing information and developing effective responses to evolving security threats.
The engagement comes as India and Italy continue to expand their broader strategic partnership, with security cooperation becoming an important area of their bilateral relationship.
Joint Working Group Reviews Emerging Security Threats
The sixth meeting of the India-Italy Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime was held in New Delhi on October 6. Officials discussed developments related to terrorism, organised crime and other transnational security challenges.
The two sides examined ways to improve cooperation between their security and law-enforcement agencies, including through information exchange, capacity building and sharing of expertise. Drug trafficking and the activities of organised criminal networks were also among the issues discussed.
India and Italy reiterated their strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism. They also reaffirmed their condemnation of the April 22, 2025 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and stressed the need for continued international cooperation to counter terrorist networks.
Greater Focus on Terrorist Financing
The discussions were followed by the second meeting of the India-Italy Permanent Task Force on Countering Financing of Terrorism on October 7. The mechanism provides a dedicated platform for the two countries to cooperate in identifying and disrupting financial channels that support terrorist activities.
The two sides discussed strengthening information sharing and cooperation between relevant financial and security agencies. They also emphasised the importance of international mechanisms such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), United Nations and Global Counterterrorism Forum in tackling terrorist financing.
The focus on financial networks reflects the growing importance of tracking the movement of funds connected with terrorism and organised crime. Cooperation between countries can help authorities identify suspicious financial activity and prevent illicit funds from reaching terrorist organisations.
Tackling Organised Crime and Drug Trafficking
Organised crime and drug trafficking were another important component of the India-Italy discussions. Criminal networks increasingly operate across international borders, making cooperation between law-enforcement agencies essential for investigating and disrupting such activities.
Italy's participation included officials from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of the Interior and the Guardia di Finanza. The involvement of financial and law-enforcement authorities underlines the broad nature of the cooperation, covering both security threats and the financial networks that facilitate organised crime.
India and Italy have also been strengthening institutional cooperation between their enforcement agencies. In 2026, the two countries welcomed a memorandum of understanding between Italy's Guardia di Finanza and India's Directorate of Enforcement, aimed at improving cooperation in areas within their respective mandates.
Emerging Technology Adds a New Security Dimension
The two countries also discussed the growing misuse of emerging technologies by terrorist organisations and criminal groups. Digital platforms, communication technologies and modern financial systems can be exploited to facilitate recruitment, coordination, money transfers and other illicit activities.
India and Italy therefore see information sharing and capacity building as important tools for responding to these emerging threats. Their cooperation in this area complements their wider engagement on cybersecurity and new technologies.
Security Partnership Expands
The latest meetings form part of a broader expansion in India-Italy relations. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Italy in May 2026, the two countries elevated their relationship to a Special Strategic Partnership, giving greater momentum to cooperation across several areas, including defence, security, technology and trade.
Both countries have also expressed their intention to strengthen cooperation through international forums and coordinate efforts against terrorism and terrorist financing. The growing institutional framework provides additional opportunities for their agencies to exchange expertise and develop joint approaches to transnational security challenges.
The MGMM Outlook
India and Italy are deepening cooperation on terrorism, organised crime and terrorist financing through institutional mechanisms involving their security, law-enforcement and financial agencies. The recent meetings of the Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime and the Permanent Task Force on Countering Financing of Terrorism focused on information sharing, capacity building and disrupting networks involved in terrorism, drug trafficking and other transnational crimes. Both sides also reiterated their opposition to terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, and stressed the importance of international cooperation through platforms such as the FATF and the United Nations.
The growing cooperation reflects the expanding security dimension of the India-Italy partnership, particularly as criminal and terrorist networks increasingly operate across borders and make use of digital technologies and financial systems. Greater coordination between agencies such as India's Directorate of Enforcement and Italy's Guardia di Finanza can strengthen efforts to trace illicit funds, investigate organised crime and respond to emerging security threats. With bilateral ties now covering defence, technology, trade and security, continued institutional cooperation can further strengthen the ability of both countries to address transnational challenges.
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