New Delhi, May 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have said that relations between India and Italy have entered a “decisive stage,” with bilateral ties expanding at an unprecedented pace into a “special strategic partnership.”
In a joint article authored for Indian and Italian media outlets, the two leaders highlighted the growing depth of cooperation between the countries at a time of major global geopolitical and economic shifts. Modi, currently in Italy as part of the final leg of his five-nation tour, and Meloni stressed that the partnership is rooted in shared democratic values, freedom, and a common vision for the future.
“The relationship between India and Italy has now reached a decisive stage,” the leaders wrote. “In recent years, our ties have expanded with unprecedented momentum, evolving from a cordial friendship into a special strategic partnership.”
The two leaders said the partnership combines Italy’s industrial and manufacturing excellence with India’s rapid economic growth, engineering talent, and thriving innovation ecosystem. They emphasized plans to deepen collaboration in key sectors including defence, aerospace, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, automotive components, pharmaceuticals, textiles, agri-food, and tourism.
Highlighting economic cooperation, Modi and Meloni expressed confidence that the proposed India-European Union Free Trade Agreement would significantly boost bilateral trade and investment. They set an ambitious target of surpassing €20 billion in trade between the two countries by 2029.
“Made in Italy has always been synonymous with excellence worldwide, and today it finds a natural synergy with the high-quality goals of the Make in India initiative,” the article noted.
The leaders also underlined the growing business integration between the two nations, pointing to the presence of more than 1,000 Indian and Italian companies operating across both countries.
Technology and innovation featured prominently in the joint vision outlined by the two leaders. They described artificial intelligence, critical minerals, digital infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing as areas of strategic cooperation for the coming decades.
India’s digital public infrastructure and Italy’s industrial expertise, they said, create a natural partnership aimed at ensuring that technological progress remains “responsible and human-centred.”
Referring to India’s “MANAV” vision and Italy’s concept of “algor-ethics,” Modi and Meloni stressed the need to safeguard human dignity, democratic values, and freedom in an increasingly interconnected digital world.
“Technology cannot replace individuals or undermine their fundamental rights, nor be used to manipulate public debate or alter democratic processes,” they wrote.
The two leaders also announced plans to strengthen cooperation in defence, maritime security, cyber resilience, counter-terrorism, and space exploration. They noted that India’s advancements in satellite technology and space missions complement Italy’s aerospace engineering capabilities.
Energy transition and climate cooperation were identified as another key pillar of the partnership. Modi and Meloni reaffirmed support for India-led global initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, and the Global Biofuels Alliance.
On connectivity and trade, the leaders highlighted the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific and Mediterranean regions, describing them as increasingly interconnected through what they termed the “Indo-Mediterranean” corridor.
They reiterated support for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), calling it a transformative vision to connect regions through transport, digital infrastructure, energy networks, and resilient supply chains.
Concluding the article, Modi and Meloni said the India-Italy partnership is guided by shared civilisational values. They referred to the Indian principles of “Dharma” and “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” alongside Italy’s humanist traditions rooted in the Renaissance.
“Our shared vision aims to lay the foundation for a strong and forward-looking India-Italy partnership with our people at the centre,” the two leaders said.
