In light of the enormous potential for economic development, South Asia is an area of growing relevance in international relations. With almost 2 billion inhabitants, the seven countries of the region currently account for roughly 25% of the world’s population: India (over 1.4 billion), Pakistan (275 millions), Bangladesh (175 millions), Nepal (30 millions), Sri Lanka (22 millions), Bhutan (around 800,000) and the Maldives (500,000).
Italy’s diplomatic-consular network in the region includes the Embassies in New Delhi (with secondary accreditation to Nepal), Islamabad, Dhaka, and Colombo (with secondary accreditation to the Maldives). There are the Italian General Consulates in Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore, a Consulate in Karachi, as well as ICE Offices in New Delhi, Mumbai, and in Islamabad, where an AICS Office is also located.
Italy-India relations are shaped by the Strategic Partnership launched on March 2th, 2023, in New Delhi by the Italian President of the Council of Ministers Hon. Giorgia Meloni and Prime Minister Modi. Ten are the priority sectors identified by the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29 adopted by the two Heads of Government on November 18th, 2024, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro: political dialogue; economic cooperation and investment; connectivity; science, technology, IT, innovation, and startup; space; energy transition; defense; security; migration and mobility; culture, academic and people-to-people exchanges, cinema, and tourism. Since 2022, trade in goods has exceeded €14 billion per year. The country is among the high-potential markets of the Action Plan for Italian Export launched in 2025: in Asia, it is Italy’s 2nd largest trading partner (after China). Italy is an integral member of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) project, aimed at strengthening Indo-Mediterranean connectivity.
A Strategic Engagement Plan (signed in Rome on February 1th, 2013) provides a framework for political and economic cooperation between Italy and Pakistan. This also foresees interparliamentary interactions, exchanges between businesses and universities, as well as consular and migration cooperation. Bilateral trade amounts to around €1.5 billion. Rome and Islamabad have a strong convergence on the reform of the UN Security Council: both countries are members of the “Uniting for Consensus” group, with Italy as the focal point.
The most recent interactions between President Meloni and Chief Adviser ad interim Yunus have intensified relations with Bangladesh. Italy supports the ongoing delicate transition process with particular attention to democracy, human rights, the rule of law and pluralism in the country. Current bilateral trade stands at around €2 billion per year.
A new chapter in relations with Sri Lanka started with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of a political consultation mechanism in Colombo on September 4th, 2025, during the visit of Undersecretary of State Tripodi. In addition to political dialogue, the main areas of cooperation include defence and economy. Bilateral trade exceeds €700 million per year, and is mainly concentrated in textiles and tourism.
Italy-Nepal cooperation is strengthened by the bilateral consultation mechanism established in Kathmandu on October 10th, 2022.
Italy has always enjoyed a very positive image in the Maldives, also thanks to substantial investments in the tourism sector.