Strengthening Ties: Modi and Meloni Forge Strategic Partnership
A New Era of India-Italy Relations
Modi with his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni, in Rome, Italy. (Photo:PTI)
Rome, May 20: On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni emphasized a strengthened strategic partnership between India and Italy, aiming to serve as a vital link between the Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean amidst evolving global geopolitical dynamics.
Prior to their formal discussions in Rome, Meloni welcomed Modi for dinner on May 19 and joined him for a tour of the historic Colosseum.
Modi's visit to Italy marks the conclusion of his five-nation tour, which included stops in the UAE, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway.
“Upon my arrival in Rome, I had the pleasure of dining with Prime Minister Meloni, followed by a visit to the iconic Colosseum. We shared insights on various topics,” Modi shared on social media.
Modi with his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni, in Rome. (Photo:PTI)
In a collaborative article featured in both Indian and Italian media, Modi and Meloni characterized their bilateral relationship as entering a “decisive stage,” evolving from a friendly rapport into a “special strategic partnership” grounded in democratic principles, technological cooperation, and economic integration.
“The relationship between India and Italy has now reached a decisive stage. In recent years, our ties have expanded with unprecedented momentum,” the two leaders noted, highlighting that the partnership is evolving into “a new and higher dimension” that combines “economic dynamism, societal creativity, and millennia-old civilizational wisdom.”
The leaders outlined an ambitious roadmap that includes artificial intelligence, quantum computing, defense, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, and space collaboration, while also advocating for enhanced supply-chain integration between their economies.
They expressed optimism regarding the proposed India-European Union Free Trade Agreement, aiming to surpass the Euro 20-billion bilateral trade target by 2029, with sectors such as aerospace, machinery, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, tourism, and clean technologies expected to drive growth.
“We aim to create a powerful synergy between Italian design, manufacturing excellence, and world-class supercomputers alongside India’s rapid economic growth, engineering talent, scale, innovation, and entrepreneurial ecosystem,” the article stated.
Artificial intelligence was highlighted as a key component of the proposed partnership, with both leaders advocating for a “human-centric” approach to AI governance. Referring to India’s “MANAV” vision and Italy’s “algor-ethics” framework, Modi and Meloni emphasized that technology should enhance human dignity rather than compromise democratic values.
The two leaders also underscored the increasing strategic importance of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), describing it as a transformative connectivity initiative linking the Indian Ocean with Europe through transport, digital, and energy networks.
“We are witnessing the emergence of what might be termed the Indo-Mediterranean,” they wrote, referring to it as a new corridor for trade, technology, energy, data, and ideas.
Modi expressed gratitude to the Indian diaspora in Italy for the warm reception he received upon his arrival in Rome.
PM Modi during his welcome by members of the Indian diaspora and others upon his arrival, in Rome, Italy. (Photo:PTI)
The reception included performances of Kathak, Kuchipudi, and Bharatanatyam by Italian artists, along with renditions of Indian classical music featuring instruments such as the santoor, tabla, sitar, and bansuri.
During his visit, Modi engaged with Italian painter Giampaolo Tomassetti, who is renowned for his works inspired by Indian culture and the Mahabharata.
The Prime Minister commended the artist’s long-standing connection with India’s civilizational heritage.