Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs, Sibi George and Italian Ambassador Nicoletta Bombardiere today co-chaired the 9th Round of India-Italy Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) in New Delhi. The MEA stated that the FOC provided an opportunity to review and discuss the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest. It added that during the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29 in sectors including trade and economy, technology, space, research, defence and others. The Ministry further said that both sides agreed on the expeditious implementation of the India-Italy Joint Initiative to Counter Financing of Terrorism in line with their joint commitment to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner. MEA stated that both sides are also working to hold the first Maritime Security Dialogue to enhance collaboration for safety, security and growth across the maritime domain. On the occasion, they also discussed key developments in the Indo-Pacific, West Asia and other global and regional issues of shared interest.