Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Italy H.E. Ms. Giorgia Meloni announced the elevation of India-Italy ties to a Special Strategic Partnership during a joint press statement in Rome, highlighting stronger cooperation in trade, technology, defence, connectivity, and culture.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed a joint press statement with Prime Minister of Italy H.E. Ms. Giorgia Meloni in Rome following official talks between the two leaders.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi thanked Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for the warm welcome and highlighted the deep civilizational and cultural connections between India and Italy. Referring to Rome and his parliamentary constituency Varanasi as timeless cities with ancient histories, he said the relationship between the two nations is built not only on diplomacy but also on shared heritage and cultural ties.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, India-Italy relations have gained new momentum, direction, and confidence. He announced that both countries have decided to elevate bilateral ties to the level of a Special Strategic Partnership.
The Prime Minister highlighted that the India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029 provides a practical and future-oriented roadmap for cooperation. He noted that bilateral trade is moving rapidly towards the shared target of Euro 20 billion and appreciated the contribution of over 800 Italian companies participating in India’s growth story.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi emphasized that Italy’s strengths in design and precision combined with India’s scale, talent, and affordable innovation create major opportunities for global cooperation. He said both countries will move forward with the principle of “Design and Develop in India and Italy, and Deliver for the World.”
The Prime Minister thanked Italy for supporting the successful conclusion of negotiations for the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement and stressed the importance of its early implementation.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi also highlighted cooperation in AI, quantum technologies, space, civil nuclear energy, defence manufacturing, shipping, logistics, ports modernisation, blue economy, and innovation ecosystems. He said the Defence Industrial Roadmap has opened new opportunities for co-development and co-production between defence industries of both countries.
The two leaders also discussed joint projects in Africa and reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism and terror financing. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said responsible democracies must take concrete action against terrorism and its financial networks.
Highlighting strong cultural and people-to-people ties, the Prime Minister announced that India and Italy will celebrate a “Year of Culture” next year to mark the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Source: PM India
