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Informist, Wednesday, May 20, 2026

 

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--PM Modi: Upgrading India-Italy relations to Special Strategic Partnership
--CONTEXT: PM Modi at joint press briefing with Italy PM Meloni in Rome
--PM Modi: Moving fast towards India-Italy trade target of 20 bln euros
--Modi: India, Italy to work together in shipping, port modernisation
--Modi: India, Italy to work together in logistics, blue econ
--Modi: Huge scope for India-Italy cooperation in AI, quantum tech
--Modi: Scope for India-Italy cooperation in space, civil nuclear energy
--Modi: Responsible nations not only condemn terror but act to stop funding
--Modi: India, Italy agree to work jointly on projects in Africa

 

NEW DELHI – India and Italy are "moving fast" towards achieving their target of bilateral trade worth 20 billion euros per annum, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at a joint press briefing with his Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni, in Rome Wednesday. Modi also announced the upgrading of India-Italy relations to a "Special Strategic Partnership".

 

"India and Italy will work together in the fields of shipping, port modernisation, logistics, and blue economy," Modi said, adding that there is also "huge scope" for cooperation in artificial intelligence, quantum technology, space, and civil nuclear energy. Bilateral trade between India and Italy in the financial year 2025-26 (Apr-Mar) stood slightly above 12 billion euros, according to data from the commerce ministry.

 

Modi emphasised that technology and innovation are the "engine" of the India-Italy partnership. "From fashion to fintech (financial technology), leather to logistics, and mobility to manufacturing, we will continue to deepen our cooperation," he said.

 

The prime minister said that the defence industrial roadmap has paved the way for the two countries to co-develop and co-produce defence equipment. The two countries have also agreed to work jointly on "solid projects" in Africa, he said.

 

On terrorism, Modi said responsible democracies "not only condemn terrorism, they also act decisively to break terror financing networks". He thanked Meloni for her support in finalising the free trade agreement between India and the European Union and expressed the hope that it will benefit businesses in both countries.

 

Earlier, Italy's prime minister said Modi's visit "opens a new page" in India-Italy relations. The two sides signed a number of memoranda of understanding to deepen cooperation in critical minerals, agriculture, maritime transport, export of seafood from India, mobility of Indian nurses to Italy, curbing tax crimes and money laundering, ayurveda, and climate change.  End

 

Reported by Asim Khan

Edited by Rajeev Pai

 

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