India and Italy have elevated their diplomatic ties to a special strategic partnership, setting a target to increase bilateral trade to €20 billion by 2029. This decision was reached during discussions between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who focused on enhancing cooperation to support the rules-based international order amidst ongoing global conflicts and geopolitical challenges. Both leaders expressed their mutual concerns over the situations in Ukraine and West Asia, emphasizing the importance of diplomacy and de-escalation to achieve lasting peace. They also stressed the need for ensuring freedom of navigation, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Rome marks the conclusion of his five-nation tour aimed at strengthening India’s energy security and fostering collaborations in crucial sectors such as defense, trade, and emerging technologies. During their discussions, Modi and Meloni agreed to utilize the upcoming India-European Union (EU) free trade agreement to bolster economic ties. “I am delighted that we are upgrading our relations to a special strategic partnership,” Modi stated, highlighting the India-Italy joint strategic action plan for 2025-29 as a foundation for future cooperation. The leaders committed to increasing trade from the current level of €14 billion to €20 billion by 2029.
The discussions also highlighted the significance of Italy and India’s joint efforts to promote freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific and to establish connections between this region and the Mediterranean via the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). Modi reiterated India’s stance on resolving international issues through dialogue and diplomacy, a sentiment shared by Meloni, who called for a fair and lasting peace in Ukraine and expressed hope for successful peace negotiations concerning the Iran crisis.
A mechanism led by the foreign ministers of both nations will be established to oversee the joint strategic action plan for 2025-29, providing strategic guidance for their special partnership. The talks between Modi and Meloni also covered expanding collaboration in various fields, including trade, defense, science and technology, innovation, space, energy, and artificial intelligence. “Technology and innovation are the engines of our partnership,” Modi noted, announcing plans for an India-Italy Innovation Centre aimed at connecting startups, research centers, and industries from both countries.
Furthermore, the two countries agreed to increase the mobility of students, researchers, and skilled workers, particularly in STEM fields, and to enhance cooperation on skills development to meet labor market demands. This includes a joint declaration of intent to facilitate the movement of nurses from India to Italy. Modi pointed out the growing cooperation between the defense industries and military forces of both nations, with their defense industrial roadmap paving the way for co-development and co-production initiatives.
