Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday unveiled a comprehensive five-year road map to elevate the bilateral relationship into a full-fledged strategic partnership.
The announcement came after a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the India-EU Summit in Brussels, where the two leaders reviewed progress across multiple sectors.
The five pillars of the road map
The India-Italy strategic partnership will be built on five key pillars:
- Defence and security cooperation
- Clean energy and climate action
- Technology and digital transformation
- Connectivity and infrastructure
- Cultural and people-to-people exchanges
A joint statement issued after the meeting said the road map “sets concrete targets and timelines for cooperation over the next five years.”
Defence and security
India and Italy agreed to enhance military-to-military exchanges and conduct joint naval exercises in the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
The two countries also signed an agreement on counter-terrorism and intelligence sharing, focusing on maritime security and cyber threats.
Italy expressed interest in India’s indigenous aircraft carrier programme and offered cooperation in submarine technology.
Clean energy partnership
A major highlight was the launch of the India-Italy Green Hydrogen Corridor. Italy will invest €500 million over three years to help India establish green hydrogen production hubs in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
The partnership also includes collaboration on offshore wind energy, with Italian companies set to participate in India’s upcoming 10 GW offshore wind tender.
Meloni stated, “Energy cooperation is the cornerstone of our future relationship. India’s scale and Italy’s technology can power the green transition together.”
Technology and digital transformation
The two leaders welcomed the signing of a Semiconductor Cooperation Agreement. Italy’s STMicroelectronics will partner with Indian firms to set up a chip packaging and testing facility in Karnataka.
Additionally, a joint task force on Artificial Intelligence will be established to work on ethical AI frameworks and applications in agriculture and healthcare.
Connectivity and infrastructure
India and Italy endorsed the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) as a transformative connectivity project. Italy will be a key European partner in developing port infrastructure at the Mediterranean end of the corridor.
Modi said, “IMEC is not just about trade. It is about connecting civilisations. Italy’s role will be crucial in making this vision a reality.”
The two countries also agreed to finalise a Migration and Mobility Agreement within six months to facilitate the movement of students, professionals, and researchers.
Trade and investment targets
Bilateral trade currently stands at approximately €15 billion. The road map sets a target of €25 billion by 2030.
Italian investments in India have crossed €8 billion, with companies like Eni, Leonardo, and Ferrero expanding their presence. The new partnership aims to attract an additional €5 billion in Italian investment over the next three years.
Cultural and people-to-people ties
2027 will be celebrated as the India-Italy Year of Culture, with joint events in archaeology, film, and design. Italy will also open three new Italian cultural centres in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata.
Visa processing times for Indian students and professionals will be reduced to 15 days under the new agreement.
What happens next
The first meeting of the India-Italy Strategic Partnership Council will be held in Rome in September 2026. Foreign ministers of both countries will co-chair the council.
A joint working group on defence will meet within three months to finalise specific cooperation projects.
Analysts believe the road map signals Italy’s intent to balance its traditional European ties with a deeper engagement in the Indo-Pacific.
Meloni invited Modi to visit Rome for the next bilateral summit in early 2027. Modi accepted the invitation.
