NEW DELHI: India and Italy today emphasised that connectivity ventures must be based on international law, transparency and equality, in an oblique reference to China's One Belt One Road initiative.
India has raised concerns as the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) under the OBOR passes through the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. India has said that the CPEC violates it sovereignty.
"They underlined that connectivity initiatives must be based on universally recognised international norms, good governance, rule of law, openness, transparency and equality and must follow principles of financial responsibility, accountable debt financing practises, balanced ecological and environmental protection, preservation standards and social sustainability," an India-Italy joint statement said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Italian counterpart Paolo Gentiloni, in their delegation-level talks, also reaffirmed their commitment to the full implementation of the Paris Agreement adopted under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The two leaders pledged to work together in the run up to and at the CoP23, and beyond, on the next steps towards substantial and balanced progress on all items of the Paris work programme.
To support peace and sustainable development in Africa, the two leaders expressed their commitment to explore areas of convergence to optimise possible synergies between their respective initiatives as well as in the multilateral fora.
They acknowledged each other's contribution to peace and development in Africa, including through their participation in UN Peacekeeping Missions.
"Italy also looked forward to India's participation as an observer at the forthcoming EU-African Union Summit," the joint statement said.
In the field of space, the two nations expressed desire to enhance cooperation for peaceful use of outer space and with particular reference to earth observation and space exploration.
To ramp up cooperation in the area of culture, the two leaders welcomed the signature of the New Executive Program of Cultural Cooperation (EPCC) in the framework of the bilateral Cultural Agreement.
The new EPCC would strengthen the ongoing cooperation between the two countries in the areas of theatre, music, dance, festivals, publishing, cinema, youth exchanges, and through grant of scholarship programs.
The Italian side welcomed India's interest to participate in the 2019 Biennale di Venezia, considered as the world's most prestigious contemporary art exhibition and agreed to extend necessary support in this regard.
Tourism was also discussed by the two sides in their delegation-level talks.
The two leaders also welcomed the exchange of best practises and scientific techniques for the conservation of the architectural and archaeological heritage and sharing of information on developing, marketing or managing cultural heritage tourism attractions.