The evolving role of Italy in the Western Indo-Pacific : the 2022-2024 tilt and new engagement with India

The growing engagement of Italy in the Western Indo-Pacific is grounded in the evolving concept of the ‘Enlarged Mediterranean.’ a theoretical framework that has long shaped the broader strategic and maritime projection of the country. This concept is now increasingly understood as extending to the Indian coastline, thus establishing an Indo-Mediterranean nexus that is, however, still in the early stages of development. As the strategic debate continues to evolve, the external action of Italy in the Western Indo-Pacific is also undergoing a transformation. Indeed, while security concerns have traditionally driven the regional engagement of Italy and remain relevant, economic interests and political-diplomatic outreach are now gaining prominence. In this shifting context, Gulf partners and India emerge as pivotal elements in the regional policy of Italy, which is shaped by new strategic partnerships and involvement in the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). Overall, the engagement of Italy in the western Indo-Pacific could potentially serve as a model for a more strategic and coherent national approach to the broader region.