Although Italy and India have maintained important relations since ancient times, significant Indian migration to Italy is a recent phenomenon. Many Indians began immigrating to Italy in the early 1990s, when the Italian government initiated programs to get Indian IT professionals and engineers to contribute to the technology sector in Italy. Most Indian immigrants came to Italy legally. Most Indians have retained their religious practices, namely Hinduism, Sikhism and Islam. There are numerous temples and gurdwaras as well as ISKCON centres. There are also many Christians from Kerala.