India and Italy have elevated their diplomatic ties to a special strategic partnership, with a commitment to boost bilateral trade to €20 billion by 2029. This development came as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met in Rome to discuss enhancing cooperation amidst global conflicts and geopolitical challenges. Both leaders highlighted the urgency of addressing the crises in Ukraine and West Asia through de-escalation and diplomacy, advocating for lasting peace and stability. Additionally, they emphasized the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation and resuming shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Rome marks the final stop on a tour of five nations aimed at strengthening India’s energy security and collaboration in crucial sectors such as defense, trade, and emerging technologies. During their talks, Modi and Meloni agreed on leveraging the upcoming India-European Union (EU) free trade agreement to foster 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 significant framework for future cooperation.
Emphasizing the need to increase trade from its current level of €14 billion to €20 billion by 2029, both leaders expressed a strong commitment to enhancing economic collaboration. Meloni stressed the importance of joint efforts to promote freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific and connect this region with the Mediterranean through the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). Modi reiterated India’s stance on resolving issues through dialogue and diplomacy, particularly concerning Ukraine and West Asia.
The two leaders agreed to establish a mechanism, led by their respective foreign ministers, to review and provide strategic guidance for the joint strategic action plan. This initiative seeks to expand cooperation in various domains, including trade, defense, science, innovation, energy, and education. Modi highlighted the potential for collaboration in AI, quantum technology, space, and civil nuclear energy, noting the ongoing work on the India-Italy Innovation Centre aimed at connecting startups and research institutions from both countries.
Further agreements were made to enhance the mobility of students, researchers, and skilled workers, especially in STEM fields, and to cooperate on skills development aligned with labor market demands. This includes a joint declaration to facilitate the mobility of Indian nurses to Italy. Modi also noted the growing cooperation between the defense industries and militaries of both nations, with a defense industrial roadmap paving the way for co-development and co-production projects.
