Narendra Modi & Giorgia Meloni
The relationship between India and Italy has entered a decisive phase. In recent years, our ties have expanded with new momentum, evolving from a cordial friendship into a strategic partnership grounded in the values of freedom, democracy and a shared vision for the future.
At a time when the international system is undergoing major change, the India-Italy partnership is being shaped through regular political and institutional engagement. It reflects our shared understanding that prosperity and security in the 21st century will depend on innovation, energy transition and strategic sovereignty. With this in mind, both countries are committed to deepening and diversifying bilateral cooperation while combining our complementary strengths.
We seek to build a synergy between Italian design, manufacturing excellence and advanced computing capabilities, and India’s rapid economic growth, engineering talent, scale and entrepreneurial ecosystem of more than 100 unicorns and 200,000 start-ups. This is not merely integration, but co-creation in which the strengths of both nations reinforce one another.
The proposed Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union can open new avenues for trade and investment. We aim to reach and exceed the target of Euro 20 billion in bilateral trade by 2029, focusing on defence and aerospace, clean technologies, machinery, automotive components, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, agri-food and tourism.
“Made in Italy” has long symbolised quality and craftsmanship across the world, while “Make in India” reflects India’s manufacturing ambitions. The increasing presence of Indian companies in Italy and growing Italian investments in India — now numbering more than 1,000 enterprises from both sides — points to stronger industrial and supply-chain integration.
Technology and innovation are central to this partnership. The coming decades will be shaped by advances in Artificial Intelligence, quantum computing, advanced manufacturing, critical minerals and digital infrastructure. India’s innovation ecosystem and skilled talent pool complement Italy’s industrial and technological capabilities, making collaboration in these sectors both natural and strategic. Partnerships between universities and research centres will further strengthen this effort.
India’s Digital Public Infrastructure has already found acceptance across many countries, especially in the Global South. India and Italy have also been working together to ensure that Artificial Intelligence remains responsible and human-centred. Both countries see AI as a tool for inclusive development that can bridge digital divides rather than deepen them.
India’s vision of MANAV, which places human beings at the centre of technology, aligns with Italy’s concept of human-centric “algor-ethics”. Together, our approach combines India’s digital scale with Italy’s ethical and industrial expertise to ensure that technology upholds human dignity. By sharing best practices in secure digital cooperation, cyber resilience and capacity-building, we aim to create an open and trustworthy digital space where all nations can benefit from AI. This approach also shaped discussions during Italy’s G7 Presidency and the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi.
Our cooperation extends to the space sector as well. India’s achievements in satellite technology and space exploration, together with Italy’s aerospace engineering capabilities, create opportunities for joint initiatives and next-generation technologies.
Security and stability remain essential for prosperity. India and Italy intend to strengthen cooperation in defence, strategic technologies and maritime security, while also addressing challenges such as terrorism, cybercrime, drug trafficking, human trafficking and international criminal networks.
Energy is another important pillar of our partnership. India and Italy are collaborating in renewable energy,
hydrogen technologies, smart grids and resilient infrastructure. India’s ambition to emerge as a Green Hydrogen export hub complements Italy’s expertise in renewable infrastructure and its role as an energy gateway to Europe. Cooperation through initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and Global Biofuels Alliance also remains significant.
Connectivity — physical, digital and human — links our regions together. India and Italy stand at the centre of two key economic hubs: the Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean. Increasingly, these regions are becoming interconnected through trade, technology, energy, data and ideas, forming what may be called the Indo-Mediterranean space. Within this framework, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor represents a vision to connect our regions through modern infrastructure, digital networks, energy systems and resilient supply chains. India and Italy are committed to working with partners to make this vision a reality.
The partnership between our nations is also rooted in enduring cultural ties. India’s principles of “Dharma” and “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” — the world is one family — resonate with Italy’s humanist tradition rooted in the Renaissance, which emphasises human dignity and the unifying power of culture. Guided by these shared values, India and Italy seek to build a forward-looking partnership with people at its centre.
(Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of India, Giorgia Meloni is President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic)
