In a significant diplomatic development, India and Italy have elevated their bilateral relations to a special strategic partnership. This decision was reached following talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The two leaders committed to boosting bilateral trade to €20 billion by 2029 and emphasized the importance of a rules-based order amidst global conflicts and geopolitical challenges. Their discussions, held during Modi’s visit to Rome, also touched upon the need for de-escalation in Ukraine and West Asia, advocating for diplomacy to secure lasting peace. The leaders stressed the necessity of maintaining freedom of navigation and ensuring the smooth resumption of shipping in strategic regions like the Strait of Hormuz.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Italy marks the final stop on a five-nation tour aimed at enhancing India’s energy security and deepening cooperation across critical sectors including defense, trade, and new technologies. During their meetings, Modi and Meloni agreed on the strategic importance of the India-European Union (EU) free trade agreement, set to be finalized later this year. Modi expressed his satisfaction at the joint media briefing, noting that the India-Italy joint strategic action plan for 2025-29 offers a robust framework for cooperation. Both leaders highlighted the target to elevate trade from the current €14 billion to €20 billion by 2029.
Prime Minister Meloni emphasized the strategic necessity for Italy and India to uphold navigation freedom in the Indo-Pacific region and to establish stronger economic linkages between this region and the Mediterranean through the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). Modi reiterated India’s commitment to resolving international issues through dialogue, citing regular consultations with Italy on crises in Ukraine and West Asia. Meloni also articulated the need for a fair and sustainable peace in Ukraine and expressed optimism about ongoing peace efforts concerning the Iran situation.
Both countries agreed to create a mechanism, spearheaded by their foreign ministers, to periodically assess and guide the joint strategic action plan for 2025-29. This mechanism aims to steer the special strategic partnership forward. The leaders also concurred on expanding collaboration across various domains such as trade, defense, science and technology, energy, and education. Modi underlined the potential for partnership in technological innovation, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, space, and civil nuclear energy. He announced plans for the India-Italy Innovation Centre, which will connect startups, research institutions, and industries from both nations.
The discussions also paved the way for enhanced cooperation between the defense sectors of both countries, with a focus on co-development and co-production. Additionally, both sides agreed to facilitate the mobility of students, researchers, and skilled workers, especially in the STEM fields, and to cooperate on skills development to meet labor market demands. A joint declaration of intent was signed to promote the mobility of Indian nurses to Italy, reflecting the comprehensive scope of this newly strengthened partnership.