Italy: Meloni charts broader mission in Indo-Pacific

Rome: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has announced plans for a central diplomatic mission to the Indo-Pacific, signalling a strategic shift in Italy’s foreign policy.

Speaking in the Senate, Meloni positioned the region as central to Italy’s future global projection and emphasised the need to evolve from a concept of an “enlarged Mediterranean” to a “global Mediterranean.”

“It is the shortest route between the Indo-Pacific and the Atlantic—the two great maritime spaces of the globe,” Meloni told lawmakers.

Dive into the region. The Indo-Pacific is emerging as the world’s key geopolitical and economic competition arena.

Italy’s pivot underscores its ambition to transition from a reactive actor to a proactive presence on the global stage, particularly along strategic maritime and trade corridors.

Multilayered approach. Meloni’s vision isn’t just rhetorical—it’s already being operationalised on several fronts.

Government-to-government ties are expanding across the region, including a recalibrated relationship with China following Italy’s formal exit from the Belt and Road Initiative.

Naval diplomacy took centre stage in 2023 when Italy deployed a Carrier Strike Group, led by aircraft carrier Cavour, for a five-month Indo-Pacific tour that included stops in India, Japan, Singapore, the Philippines, and Indonesia.

Parliamentary diplomacy has also ramped up.

A strategic paper by the Foreign Affairs Committee’s Indo-Pacific Subcommittee, based on a year of hearings with ambassadors, analysts, and business leaders, is now a key reference for shaping long-term Italian engagement in the region.

What’s on the trip? The mission will likely include strategic stops.

Japan, already a partner in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) for a sixth-generation fighter jet, is central to industrial and military cooperation.

Singapore, a logistics and finance hub, and Vietnam and Bangladesh are also on the radar as emerging partners.

India, with whom Italy signed a Strategic Partnership Declaration in 2023, offers a platform for defence, tech, and industrial ties.

What we’re watching. This isn’t just about a diplomatic tour, as Italy is pursuing a system-wide strategy to solidify its role where global power competition and economic opportunity converge.

Meloni emphasised that the Indo-Pacific is increasingly critical to European interests, from maritime security to supply chain resilience.

“We aim to assert national interest with respect—by building ties and opening new doors for the Italian production system,” said Meloni.