Modi and Meloni say India-Italy ties have reached a ‘decisive phase’, call for stronger strategic partnership

Prime Minister PM Narendra Modi and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni have said that India and Italy can effectively address common global challenges by building on their deep strategic partnership and longstanding cultural ties while placing people at the centre of a futureoriented bilateral relationshipThe Indian Premier on Wednesday shared that he has coauthored a joint oped with PM Meloni in which both leaders noted that bilateral relations between India and Italy have reached a decisive stage He described the relationship as a Special Strategic Partnership driven by innovation shared democratic values and a common vision for the futurePenned an oped with PM Meloni on how IndiaItaly ties have reached a decisive stage Ours is a Special Strategic Partnership driven by innovation shared democratic values and a common vision for the futureGiorgiaMeloni httpstco4eEMaaInGcmdash Narendra Modi narendramodi May 20 2026ldquoPenned an oped with PM Meloni on how IndiaItaly ties have reached a decisive stage Ours is a Special Strategic Partnership driven by innovation shared democratic values and a common vision for the futurerdquo Modi wrote on XThe talks with Prime Minister Meloni were excellent Her commitment to furthering the IndiaItaly friendship is commendable Bilateral ties between our nations have advanced significantly in sectors like trade space technology and more In order to further deepen linkages wehellip pictwittercom0Q6m7C9Submdash Narendra Modi narendramodi May 20 2026In the joint article the two leaders said that in recent years ties between the two countries have expanded with unprecedented momentum evolving from a cordial friendship into a special strategic partnership grounded in the values of freedom and democracy and a shared vision for the futureThey noted that at a time when the international system is undergoing profound change the IndiaItaly partnership is gaining a new and higher dimension combining economic dynamism societal creativity and civilisational wisdomldquoOur cooperation mirrors our shared awareness that prosperity and security in the 21st century will be shaped by the ability of nations to innovate manage energy transitions and strengthen strategic sovereigntyrdquo the leaders wroteModi and Meloni highlight lsquopowerful synergyrsquo in industry technology and defenceHighlighting industrial collaboration Modi and Meloni said Italyrsquos strengths in design manufacturing and supercomputing combined with Indiarsquos rapid economic growth engineering talent and innovationdriven startup ecosystem can create a ldquopowerful synergyrdquoThey expressed confidence that the proposed IndiaEuropean Union Free Trade Agreement would further boost bilateral trade and investment with both sides aiming to exceed the Euro 20 billion trade target by 2029 Sectors such as defence aerospace clean technologies pharmaceuticals and agrifood were identified as key areas of focusThe leaders also underlined growing cooperation in technology and innovation particularly in Artificial Intelligence quantum computing advanced manufacturing and digital infrastructure They stressed the need for responsible ethical and humancentric AI development aligning Indiarsquos vision of lsquoMANAVrsquo with Italyrsquos humancentric ldquoalgorethicsrdquoOn defence and security both leaders expressed their intent to deepen collaboration in strategic technologies maritime security and counterterrorism Energy cooperation including renewable energy and green hydrogen was also highlighted as a key pillar of the partnershipThe two Prime Ministers noted the increasing interconnectedness between the IndoPacific and the Mediterranean regions describing the emergence of an ldquoIndoMediterraneanrdquo corridor as a significant strategic and economic link They also welcomed the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor as a transformative initiativeIn conclusion PM Modi and PM Meloni said that India and Italy can address shared challenges by drawing upon their profound partnership and enduring cultural ties They added that their shared vision aims to build a strong and forwardlooking partnership with people at its centreWith IANS inputs