Modi-Meloni meeting puts Italy at center of India’s Europe strategy

India and Italy have significantly upgraded their bilateral relationship to a Special Strategic Partnership, signaling a deepening of ties that could reshape European engagement for New Delhi. The agreement, reached during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Rome, aims to substantially increase bilateral trade to €20 billion by 2029.

The partnership encompasses a broad spectrum of cooperation, including trade, investment, supply chains, critical minerals, clean technologies, semiconductors, ports, maritime security, defense industrial cooperation, innovation, space, and migration. A key focus is the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), a project both nations are committed to advancing. Italy's strategic position as a major EU economy, a Mediterranean state, and a NATO member makes it a crucial bridge for India into Europe and the Mediterranean route.

The joint declaration between India and Italy is notably dense with practical details. Both governments committed to building resilient supply chains, expanding industrial and technology partnerships, and fostering cooperation in sectors such as textiles, clean technologies, semiconductors, automotive, energy, pharmaceuticals, digital technologies, and infrastructure. They also agreed to strengthen links among financial institutions and established an annual meeting framework, utilizing the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029 as the operational guide.

The IMEC initiative was central to the discussions, with both Prime Minister Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reaffirming their commitment and encouraging the first IMEC ministerial meeting to take concrete steps in 2026. The project is envisioned not just for goods transport but also for broader commercial, digital, and strategic connections between India, the Gulf, and Europe.