Italy and India are seeking to further deepen their strategic partnership, with a focus on expanding cooperation in innovation, security, energy, and trade. The commitment was outlined in a joint op-ed published by Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Corriere della Sera. The two leaders described the relationship between Rome and New Delhi as having reached “an unprecedented momentum” in recent years, evolving from a cordial diplomatic friendship into a special strategic partnership grounded in shared values of freedom, democracy, and a common vision for global development.

A key objective of the partnership is to exceed €20 billion in bilateral trade by 2029. Priority sectors include defence and aerospace, clean energy technologies, automotive components, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, agrifood, and tourism. Meloni and Modi emphasised the complementarity between Italian industrial excellence - particularly in design and manufacturing - and India’s rapidly expanding innovation ecosystem under the “Make in India” initiative. They argued that this synergy could generate new opportunities for growth and industrial cooperation.

A major focus of the joint vision is artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. Both countries intend to promote a “human-centric and responsible” approach to AI development, aimed at ensuring inclusive growth, particularly across the Global South. The partnership also extends to quantum computing, advanced manufacturing, digital infrastructure, and critical minerals. Space cooperation is another key pillar, with India’s advances in satellite technology and space exploration aligning with Italy’s established expertise in aerospace engineering, opening the door to joint initiatives.

On the geopolitical front, the leaders highlighted the growing strategic interconnection between the Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean, describing the emergence of an “Indo-Mediterranean” space. This corridor is envisioned as a key route for trade, energy, data, and ideas linking Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Within this framework, the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor was cited as a major initiative aimed at strengthening connectivity through modern transport systems, energy networks, and digital infrastructure.

Finally, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in defence and security, including the protection of maritime routes and joint efforts against terrorism, transnational crime, drug trafficking, cybercrime, and human trafficking. They concluded that the shared vision places people at the centre of a forward-looking partnership designed to address global challenges through closer cooperation.