India-Italy counter-terrorism talks 2025: JWG meets in New Delhi on Oct 6-7
Synopsis
India and Italy wrapped up two days of structured counter-terrorism talks in New Delhi, jointly condemning the Pahalgam attack and advancing a G20-born initiative on terrorism financing. The next round moves to Rome — a sign that the bilateral security architecture, once limited to trade and culture, is gaining real institutional depth.
Key Takeaways
India and Italy held the sixth JWG on Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime in New Delhi on 6-7 October 2025 .
Both sides condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025 .
Talks covered drug trafficking, terrorism financing, and misuse of emerging technologies including fintech for terrorist purposes.
The India-Italy Joint Initiative on Countering Financing of Terrorism was launched at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg in November 2025 .
Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation at the UN , GCTF , and FATF .
The next round of meetings will be held in Rome, Italy on mutually convenient dates.
India and Italy on 6-7 October 2025 concluded the sixth meeting of the India-Italy Joint Working Group (JWG) on Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime and the second meeting of the Permanent Task Force on Countering Financing of Terrorism in New Delhi, covering drug trafficking, terrorism financing, and emerging regional and global threats. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the outcome in an official statement.
Who Led the Talks
The meetings were co-chaired by Suhel Ajaz Khan, Additional Secretary for Counter Terrorism at the MEA, and Paolo Mari, Joint Secretary for G7-G20, Transnational Threats and Integrated Strategy at Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Counter-terrorism agencies from both countries participated in the deliberations.
Key Agenda: Pahalgam Attack and Cross-Border Terrorism
Both sides jointly condemned terrorism in all its forms. In a notable development, the two countries reiterated their condemnation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025, which the MEA statement described as 'heinous.' The explicit reference signals Italy's alignment with India's position on cross-border terrorism — a point of diplomatic significance as New Delhi continues to press the international community on the issue.
Emerging Technology Threats and Capacity Building
The discussions also addressed what officials described as the misuse of new and emerging technologies — spanning information, communication, and financial technologies — for terrorist purposes. Both delegations agreed to strengthen capacity building and information exchange to counter non-traditional and emerging threats, reflecting a growing global consensus that terrorism financing and recruitment increasingly operate through digital and fintech channels.
Terrorism Financing: A G20-Rooted Initiative
The Permanent Task Force meeting focused on the India-Italy Joint Initiative on Countering Financing of Terrorism, launched by the prime ministers of both countries on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg in November 2025. According to the MEA, both sides also discussed enhancing multilateral cooperation in counter-terrorism forums including the United Nations (UN), the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
What Happens Next
Both countries have agreed to hold the next meeting of the Joint Working Group and the Permanent Task Force in Rome, Italy on mutually convenient dates. This continuity signals a deepening institutional framework between the two democracies on security cooperation — one that has gained momentum since the G20 Johannesburg engagement in late 2025.
Point of View
Each such joint statement adds to the diplomatic pressure on Islamabad. The terrorism financing initiative, born at Johannesburg, is also worth watching: FATF grey-listing has historically been one of the few tools that meaningfully changes state behaviour on terror financing. India getting Italy — a G7 member with weight at FATF — to co-chair a dedicated task force is a structural gain, not just a symbolic one.
NationPress
7 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was discussed at the India-Italy counter-terrorism talks in New Delhi?
The sixth India-Italy Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime, held in New Delhi on 6-7 October 2025, covered drug trafficking, cross-border terrorism, terrorism financing, and the misuse of emerging technologies including fintech for terrorist purposes. Both sides also discussed multilateral cooperation at the UN, GCTF, and FATF.
Why did India and Italy reference the Pahalgam attack in their joint statement?
Both countries condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025, reiterating their shared opposition to cross-border terrorism. Italy's explicit condemnation is significant as India continues to seek international support for its position on state-sponsored terrorism.
What is the India-Italy Joint Initiative on Countering Financing of Terrorism?
It is a bilateral initiative launched by the prime ministers of India and Italy on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg in November 2025, focused on strengthening cooperation to cut off terrorist funding. The second meeting of its Permanent Task Force was held alongside the JWG in New Delhi on 6-7 October 2025.
Where will the next India-Italy counter-terrorism meeting be held?
Both sides have agreed to hold the next meeting of the Joint Working Group and the Permanent Task Force in Rome, Italy, on mutually convenient dates.
Who co-chaired the India-Italy counter-terrorism talks?
The meetings were co-chaired by Suhel Ajaz Khan, the MEA's Additional Secretary on Counter Terrorism from the Indian side, and Paolo Mari, Joint Secretary for G7-G20, Transnational Threats and Integrated Strategy at Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
