India and Italy have announced a major joint initiative to counter the financing of terrorism, marking a significant expansion of their security partnership. The announcement came during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G20 Summit 2025 in Johannesburg.
According to an official statement from the Ministry of External Affairs, the new initiative is designed to deepen bilateral cooperation to disrupt terror-financing networks and enhance coordination across multilateral platforms, including the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the Global Counter Terrorism Forum (GCTF). The agreement reflects growing international urgency to dismantle illicit financial channels that support violent
Italy, which has strengthened security ties with India over the past few years, expressed strong solidarity following recent terror incidents in Delhi. Prime Minister Meloni reaffirmed her government’s commitment to expanding cooperation in defence, intelligence-sharing and financial regulation to curb global terror activities.
The partnership assumes greater significance amid increasingly complex global financial crimes, money laundering routes and cross-border terror funding channels. Analysts note that the initiative demonstrates India’s transition toward forging broader international coalitions, complementing its domestic counter-terrorism framework. Strong trade and investment ties, with bilateral trade at nearly USD 15 billion and cumulative Italian FDI at around USD 4 billion, are expected to benefit from the enhanced strategic cooperation.
The joint initiative includes core pillars such as improved intelligence sharing, regulatory alignment, and coordinated action against identified terror-funding networks. Both nations will collaborate more closely within forums like FATF, while integrating counter-terror financing mechanisms into the wider India–Italy Strategic Partnership 2025-29, which spans defence, technology, space, and science.
Officials stated that the next phase will likely involve structured information-exchange mechanisms, increased cooperation between financial-crime agencies, and shared technological tools to track illicit fund flows. The initiative is intended to serve as a robust deterrent, making it harder for extremist groups to exploit international financial systems.
Information-based quotes further underline the strategic intent. Prime Minister Modi described the initiative as “a necessary and timely effort” that would strengthen global action against terrorism and its support systems. The MEA added that both leaders “positively assessed” the progress of bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, reflecting the depth of the partnership.
This development marks a notable shift in India’s counter-terror strategy, placing stronger emphasis on global partnerships alongside domestic enforcement. As global terror networks evolve, India and Italy aim to build a unified, technologically advanced front to disrupt funding pipelines and enhance global security.