Ahead of the bilateral talks between India and Italy in Rome, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Italian Prime Minister have co-authored a joint article. Through this piece, both leaders have shared several key insights that serve to further strengthen the ties between their two nations.
The article notes that the bilateral relations between India and Italy have now reached a decisive phase. In recent years, these ties have witnessed unprecedented expansion. Moving beyond mere friendship, this relationship has now evolved into a robust strategic partnership grounded in shared values of liberty, democracy, and a common vision for the future.
Amidst a changing global landscape, both nations are infusing fresh momentum into their partnership through continuous dialogue at high political and institutional levels. This partnership weaves together economic prowess, social creativity, and a civilizational heritage spanning thousands of years.
Both nations recognize the fundamental truth that, in the 21st century, a nation’s prosperity and security will hinge upon its capacity for innovation, its ability to successfully manage the energy transition, and its efforts to bolster strategic self-reliance. Guided by this shared vision, they have resolved to further deepen and broaden their bilateral relationship.
Economic and Industrial Synergy
The objective is to generate powerful shared value by synergizing Italy’s excellence in design, manufacturing expertise, and world-class supercomputing capabilities with India’s rapidly growing economy, vast pool of engineering talent, scale, and vibrant startup ecosystem (comprising over 100 unicorns and 200,000 startups).
Trade and investment are set to receive fresh impetus through the proposed EU-India Free Trade Agreement. Both nations aim to push their bilateral trade volume beyond 20 billion Euros by 2029. Particular emphasis will be placed on sectors such as defense and aerospace, clean technologies, machinery, automotive components, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, agri-food, and tourism.
The quality synonymous with ‘Made in Italy’ aligns perfectly with the ambitions of ‘Make in India’. The number of companies from each country operating in the other has now exceeded 1,000—a positive development towards the integration of supply chains.
Technology, AI, and Space Cooperation
Technological innovation serves as the cornerstone of this partnership. Cooperation will be expanded in fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum computing, advanced manufacturing, critical minerals, and digital infrastructure. India’s Digital Public Infrastructure has emerged as a model for the Global South. Both nations are committed to ensuring that the development of AI remains responsible and human-centric. India’s ‘MANAV’ vision and Italy’s ‘Algor-ethics’ concept serve as guiding principles in this regard.
Both countries aim to leverage AI as a powerful catalyst for inclusive growth, particularly within the Global South. Emphasis has also been placed on cybersecurity, capacity building, and the creation of an open and trusted digital ecosystem. This approach aligns with Italy’s G7 Presidency and the outcomes of the 2026 New Delhi AI Impact Summit. India’s remarkable strides in the space sector, combined with Italy’s expertise in aerospace engineering, are opening up new avenues of opportunity.
Security, Energy, and Connectivity
Cooperation in the realms of defense, security, and strategic technologies will be further strengthened. Joint efforts will be intensified to address challenges such as the security of critical maritime routes, terrorism, transnational organized crime, narcotics trafficking, cybercrime, and human trafficking.
In the energy sector, the focus lies on renewable sources, green hydrogen, smart grids, and robust infrastructure. India’s potential for green hydrogen exports and Italy’s advanced renewable energy technologies are mutually complementary. Italy’s collaboration in initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and the Global Biofuels Alliance will be of pivotal importance.
The Rise of the Indo-Mediterranean
India is strategically positioned at the nexus of the Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean regions. Both nations are now envisioning a newly interconnected region termed the ‘Indo-Mediterranean’—a vital corridor for trade, technology, energy, data, and ideas that will link the Indian Ocean to Europe. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) stands as an integral part of this visionary outlook.
Cultural Foundations
This partnership is anchored in cultural depth. The Indian cultural principles of Dharma (a sense of duty) and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family), alongside Italy’s Renaissance-era humanist traditions, foster a natural synergy between the two nations.
This partnership between India and Italy represents an endeavor to build a robust, modern, and forward-looking relationship—one that places people at its core—and which will not only benefit both nations but also serve as a bridge connecting two continents.
