India, Italy Deepen Defence Ties; Focus on Technology and Production

17 Apr 2025 CW Team

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh visited Rome, Italy, from 14–15 April 2025, to further enhance bilateral defence cooperation, a key pillar of the India–Italy strategic partnership. The visit began with a meeting with Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, followed by the 11th Joint Defence Committee meeting, co-chaired with Luisa Riccardi, Secretary General of Defence. Discussions covered maritime security, information sharing, and collaboration within the Trans Regional Maritime Network, along with the situation in the Red Sea and Western Indian Ocean.

India emphasised closer defence ties in technology and armament production, aligned with its ongoing policy push to build a robust domestic defence innovation ecosystem. During the India–Italy Defence Industry Roundtable, Shri Singh highlighted reforms aimed at improving ease of doing business, increasing transparency, and supporting private sector growth in India's defence sector.

A key outcome was the signing of an MoU between SIDM and AIAD, aimed at fostering cooperation between defence industries of both nations. The Defence Secretary was accompanied by a senior delegation from India’s Ministry of Defence and SIDM, supporting both government and B2B collaborations.

Source: PIB Delhi

Infrastructure Urban

06 Jul 2026

ABS Marine Sees CRISIL Credit Rating Upgrade

ABS Marine Services has secured an upgrade to its long term and short term credit ratings from CRISIL, reflecting improved profitability and revenue growth through long term contracts. CRISIL moved the long term rating from BBB+/Stable to A-/Stable and revised the short term rating from A2 to A2+. The action signals strengthened financial metrics and operational resilience. The company benefited from durable client relationships with firms such as ONGC and Schlumberger. The rating decision followed stronger cash flows and an enlarged bank loan facility, which increased from Rs 3,705 million (m..

Project BRAHMANK Marks 16 Years Of Strategic Roads In Arunachal

Project BRAHMANK is marking 16 years of work to establish strategic road and bridge links across Arunachal Pradesh, maintaining and developing 811 kilometres of roads and nearly 86 bridges that range from small culverts to large steel and arch bridges. These transport links are described as critical for ensuring year-round movement of defence personnel, equipment and essential supplies while improving everyday travel for people in remote villages. The project balances national security requirements with regional development by focusing on reliable access in challenging terrain. Notable enginee..

Longleng CSOs Give One Week Ultimatum Over Two-Lane Highway

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Longleng district have demanded immediate restoration of the deteriorating Changtongya–Longleng two-lane road and sought a detailed status report on the stalled construction within one week. The demand followed a consultative meeting convened under the Phom Peoples' Council (PPC) to discuss welfare and development concerns. PPC president YB Angam Phom said prolonged non-maintenance had caused hardship to commuters and affected transportation, local commerce and the district's development. The meeting urged authorities to undertake immediate restoration a..