Structured step forward. Italy is taking its first structured step toward a national Indo-Pacific strategy.
- With today’s presentation of the final report by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies—the culmination of a fact-finding investigation launched in May 2023—Rome is beginning to define its vision for engaging the world’s most dynamic and contested region.
Beyond the Med. The Indo-Pacific is not merely a US-China chessboard or a transit route for 60% of global GDP.
- For Italy, it represents a functional extension of the enlarged Mediterranean—a connected arena where maritime security, logistics, access to critical resources, and tech competition intersect.
- The report argues that Italy’s credibility in the Mediterranean increasingly hinges on its presence further east.
Naval and diplomatic continuity. Italy must ensure a consistent and credible presence at sea and in diplomatic circles.
- Recent missions by the Carrier Strike Group, led by the carrier Nave Cavour, and expanded joint operations demonstrate the country’s readiness to operate in complex scenarios, yielding positive spillover effects for defence industry growth and allied interoperability.
Economic and technological leverage. A pressing need exists for Italy to integrate into critical global value chains—from semiconductors to renewables and defence.
- The report highlights Italy’s strategic priority of industrial expansion into key markets such as India, ASEAN, Australia, and Japan. Initiatives like the IMEC corridor and scientific diplomacy form the backbone of a forward-looking action plan.
Strategic alliances. Italy’s partnerships with regional and like-minded nations extend beyond merely counterbalancing China—they are designed to uphold a rules-based international system.
- The strategy blends hard power—through military and industrial presence—with soft power, including cultural diplomacy, development cooperation, and scientific collaboration, positioning Italy as a vital connector between Europe, the Mediterranean, and Asia.
A framework, not a conclusion. This report is not the final word but a foundational roadmap for long-term strategic policy-making.
- It offers a clear and coherent framework for developing multi-level initiatives and a credible international narrative that can guide government action and discourage ad hoc, short-term responses.
What we’re watching. Italy’s Indo-Pacific strategy could reshape its foreign policy in four key ways.
- Coherence: unifying fragmented efforts across national actors into a streamlined approach.
- Credibility: enhancing Italy’s standing with regional partners and NATO allies through greater structure and visibility.
- Geopolitical relevance: reflecting recent shifts in global power dynamics with an updated vision that moves beyond the EU’s dated strategy.
- Strategic continuity: establishing a medium-term framework for government action to ensure long-term planning over-reactive measures.
