Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: India and Italy elevated their bilateral relationship to a Special Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ongoing official visit to Italy. The joint statement, released alongside Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on May 21, outlines a comprehensive plan spanning defence, trade, security, and migration.
The leaders launched a Defence Industrial Roadmap focusing on co-development and co-production of military hardware, including helicopters, naval platforms, marine armament, and electronic warfare.
Both nations condemned terrorism in all forms—including cross-border terrorism—and specifically condemned the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack.
Reaffirming the successful conclusion of negotiations for the EU-India Free Trade Agreement, both countries set a bilateral trade target of €20 billion by 2029.
The leaders called for de-escalation and diplomacy in the Middle East and Ukraine, and announced that 2027 will be celebrated as the “Year of Culture” to mark the 80th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
The countries agreed to expand mobility for skilled workers, researchers, and students, including a specific joint intent to facilitate the migration of nurses from India to Italy.
The two Prime Ministers welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in Critical Minerals.
The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), recognising its transformational potential in reshaping and promoting global trade, connectivity and prosperity.
