This article covers cooperation between India and Malta in specific sectors: maritime affairs and naval visits, solar energy, the environment, health and pharmaceuticals, sanitation, security, legal exchanges and digital links. It is based on the MEA bilateral brief of June 2026.

Maritime cooperation

According to the MEA brief of June 2026, an MoU on Maritime Cooperation between India and Malta was signed on 17.9.2018. The first meeting of the Joint Committee on Maritime Cooperation between India and Malta was held in virtual mode on 26 November 2024.

Indian naval ship visits

The Indian Naval Ship INS Sudarshini visited Malta from 12 to 15 March 2026 as part of the Lokayan 2026 voyage. The brief states that the port call strengthened bilateral maritime ties through high-level calls-on, highlighting maritime cooperation between India and Malta. Events organised by the High Commission around the visit are described in the culture and community article.

The brief states that Indian naval ships regularly visit Malta on goodwill visits. Earlier visits include:

  • INS Darshak, in April 2002.
  • INS Tarangini, in February 2007, June 2015, May 2018 and May 2022.

Solar energy

Malta signed the ISA Framework Agreement in New Delhi on 20 February 2024. The brief states that Malta is the 119th country to join the ISA.

Environment and sustainable development

Minister for Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change of Malta Dr. Jose Herrera visited India to take part in the UNCCD COP14 meeting hosted by India from 2 to 13 September 2019, and addressed the meeting on 9 September 2019.

Earlier, Mr. Leo Brincat, Minister for Sustainable Development, Environment and Climate Change, visited India in February 2015 to take part in and address the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit 2015, organised by TERI in New Delhi.

Health and pharmaceuticals

Minister for Active Ageing Dr. Jo Etienne Abela attended the Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh Conference in India from 6 to 8 October 2022. During his extended visit, which lasted until 13 October, discussions were held on possible collaboration in the pharmaceutical and medical devices industry.

Dr Abela led a team of representatives from the Malta Medicines Authority and Malta Enterprises. The team visited Torrent Pharma in Ahmedabad and Aurobindo Pharma in Hyderabad.

At the third round of Foreign Office Consultations, in September 2023, the two sides discussed furthering relations in the health and pharma sector. The fourth round, in March 2026, focused on areas including technology and innovation and the maritime sector.

Sanitation

Mr. Silvio Parnis, Parliamentary Secretary for local Government and Communities of Malta, led the Maltese delegation to the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention held in New Delhi from 29 September to 2 October 2018.

Security and cyber issues

Maltese Minister for Home Affairs and National Security Mr. Michael Farrugia took part in the 'National Conference on Cyberlaw, Cybercrime and Cybersecurity' in Delhi from 14 to 16 November 2018.

During his visit to Malta for the 4th Round of Foreign Office Consultations in March 2026, Secretary (West) Amb. Sibi George met Brigadier Clinton J O' Neill, Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta.

Chief Justice of Malta Mr. Vincent A. De Gaetano visited India in December 2006 to take part in a Conference of Jurists in Lucknow, and met the then Chief Justice of India.

Minister for Energy and Water Management of Malta Mr. Joseph Mizzi visited India in February 2018 to visit the Streamcast Technology Data Centres in New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.

In March 2007, the Foreign Minister of Malta, in his capacity as Chairman of the Steering Committee of Commonwealth Connects, visited India to take part in Commonwealth Connects 2007, an e-Partnership Summit held in New Delhi. The brief describes Commonwealth Connects as concerned with bridging the digital divide.