What Did PM Modi Discuss with Italian President Sergio Mattarella? Insights on India-Italy Relations
Strengthening Ties: Modi Meets Mattarella
Rome: On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in talks with Italian President Sergio Mattarella, focusing on enhancing the partnership between India and Italy across various sectors, including trade, technology, clean energy, and cultural exchanges.
Modi's visit to Italy marks the final stop of his five-nation tour, which began on May 15 and included the UAE, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway.
In a post shared on social media, the Prime Minister highlighted discussions about the India-Italy friendship, emphasizing trade, investment, and cultural ties.
He mentioned potential collaborations in fields such as artificial intelligence, critical minerals, space exploration, and nuclear energy.
According to Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, both leaders also shared insights on regional and global developments of mutual concern.
The two dignitaries reaffirmed the robust and lasting partnership between India and Italy, as noted by Jaiswal in his social media update.
Their discussions encompassed trade, technology, innovation, clean energy, AI, and cultural initiatives.
Recent years have seen a surge in economic interactions between India and Italy, with bilateral trade reaching €14.25 billion in 2025, as reported by the Indian Embassy in Italy.
India's exports to Italy were valued at €8.55 billion, while imports from Italy amounted to €5.70 billion in 2025, reflecting a 9.42% increase from 2024.
The two nations aim to elevate their annual bilateral trade to €20 billion by 2029.
Italy ranks as India's fourth-largest trading partner within the European Union and has prioritized India in its global trade strategy.
From April 2000 to September 2025, Italy was the 19th largest source of foreign direct investment in India, with total investments reaching USD 3.66 billion, primarily in sectors like automobiles, trading, industrial machinery, services, and electrical equipment.
Indian investments in Italy are estimated at around €490 million, mainly in IT, electronics, and engineering. The acquisition of the Iveco Group by Tata Motors, valued at €3.8 billion, stands as the largest Indian investment in Italy to date.
As of January 2025, the Indian community in Italy is estimated to be 186,833 strong, making it the largest Indian diaspora in the European Union. Additionally, over 5,100 Indian students are currently enrolled in Italian universities.