India–Italy Strategic Partnership Enters a New Era of Global Cooperation

When Rome’s ancient heritage meets India’s digital boom, the result is far more than standard diplomacy. As global supply chains fracture and tech landscapes realign, New Delhi and Rome are shifting gears from friendly dialogue to a high-powered, "Special Strategic Partnership." Anchored by the 2025–2029 Joint Strategic Action Plan, this emerging alliance between two democratic middle powers is quietly rewriting the rules of cooperation between Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

May 20, 2026

The relationship between India and Italy is entering a transformative phase marked by strategic ambition, technological cooperation, and growing geopolitical convergence. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reaffirming their commitment to a stronger bilateral partnership through the India–Italy Joint Declaration, the two nations are shaping a relationship that extends far beyond traditional diplomacy.

At a time when global politics is increasingly defined by supply chain disruptions, strategic competition, energy transitions, and technological realignment, India and Italy are positioning themselves as trusted democratic partners capable of contributing to a more balanced and resilient international order.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

The elevation of bilateral ties toward a “Special Strategic Partnership” reflects not only growing political trust, but also a shared recognition that India and Italy can play a significant role in shaping the future of cooperation between Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

The consequential decision by both leaders to elevate the India–Italy Strategic Partnership to the level of a “Special Strategic Partnership” has been accompanied by a commitment to institutionalise continual engagement through annual leaders’ meetings, including on the sidelines of multilateral events, as well as regular Ministerial and institutional-level interactions.

A Partnership Rooted in Shared Strategic Interests

India and Italy today find themselves aligned on several major global priorities. Both countries support a rules-based international order, resilient supply chains, sustainable development, maritime security, and stronger Global South engagement.

The recently unveiled Italy–India Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029 provides a structured roadmap for cooperation across sectors ranging from defence and trade to innovation, mobility, education, clean energy, and digital transformation. The framework demonstrates a long-term commitment to institutionalising collaboration between governments, industries, academic institutions, and innovation ecosystems. To ensure smooth, sustained, and effective implementation, the two countries have agreed to establish a Foreign Minister-level mechanism to regularly review progress, facilitate timely coordination, and address emerging challenges under the Joint Strategic Action Plan.

For Italy, India represents one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies and an increasingly important pillar of Europe’s Indo-Pacific strategy. For India, Italy serves as a gateway to European manufacturing excellence, advanced engineering, sustainable technologies, and strategic Mediterranean connectivity.

IMEEC and the Rise of Strategic Connectivity

One of the most significant dimensions of the emerging India–Italy partnership is connectivity. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) has the potential to redefine trade routes and economic integration between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

Italy’s geographic position in the Mediterranean makes it a crucial European node within this evolving corridor. Indian policymakers and businesses increasingly view Italy not only as a European partner but also as a strategic logistics and industrial hub connecting Indian commerce to broader European markets.

For both countries, IMEEC represents more than an infrastructure initiative. It symbolizes a new model of resilient and trusted connectivity aimed at diversifying supply chains, enhancing energy cooperation, and strengthening economic security amid global uncertainties.

Reflecting their shared strategic outlook, both leaders have expressed a strong desire to strengthen connectivity infrastructure through concrete projects and reaffirmed their commitment to the effective implementation of IMEEC.

Defence and Security Cooperation Expanding

India and Italy are also deepening cooperation in defence and security, reflecting a broader trend of strategic convergence between democratic middle powers.

The growing emphasis on maritime security, defence manufacturing, cyber resilience, counter-terrorism cooperation, and defence technology partnerships demonstrates the maturity of bilateral relations. As geopolitical competition intensifies across the Indo-Pacific and beyond, both countries are seeking stronger defence collaboration to safeguard strategic interests and regional stability.

Italy’s advanced defence manufacturing ecosystem and India’s push for indigenous defence production under the “Make in India” initiative create strong opportunities for co-development, joint ventures, and technology partnerships.

PM Modi and Italian President Sergio Mattarella

This cooperation is expected to grow further in areas such as naval technologies, aerospace, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure protection. Both India and Italy have expressed their satisfaction with the deepening of defence cooperation through Ministerial and official interactions, exchange of port visits, and regular engagement between defence forces.

Counter-terrorism cooperation has emerged as a key pillar of India–Italy security engagement, reflecting a shared determination to address evolving global security threats. Both countries have reaffirmed their strong commitment to combating terrorism and agreed to deepen cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels, including through the implementation of the Joint Initiative to Counter Financing of Terrorism adopted in November 2025.

Innovation, AI and Industry 4.0 at the Core

Technology and innovation are emerging as central pillars of the India–Italy partnership. Both nations recognize that future economic competitiveness will depend heavily on collaboration in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, clean technologies, and digital infrastructure.

Italy’s strengths in design, precision engineering, robotics, and industrial innovation complement India’s rapidly expanding digital economy, startup ecosystem, and technology talent base.

As India accelerates its ambitions in AI, semiconductor manufacturing, fintech, and digital public infrastructure, Italian companies and institutions are increasingly exploring opportunities for collaboration in research, industrial modernization, and innovation partnerships.

The partnership also reflects a broader shift toward “trusted technology ecosystems,” where countries are seeking reliable partners for critical technologies and secure supply chains. Beyond AI and semiconductors, the two geographically distant nations are exploring greater cooperation in critical minerals and other cutting-edge technologies, combining India’s talent base with Italy’s technological strengths.

Science and space cooperation are rapidly emerging as dynamic pillars of the bilateral relationship. Growing engagement between researchers and scientific institutions from both countries is being complemented by expanding collaboration between the Italian Space Agency and the Indian Space Research Organisation, alongside renewed efforts to strengthen commercial space cooperation and unlock new opportunities in the evolving space economy.

Economic Cooperation and Investment Momentum

Economic engagement between India and Italy has gained substantial momentum in recent years. Bilateral trade continues to expand across sectors including machinery, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, textiles, food processing, and infrastructure.

Italian companies are showing increasing interest in India’s manufacturing growth story, large domestic market, and infrastructure transformation. Meanwhile, Indian firms are expanding their footprint in Italy through investments in IT services, engineering, pharmaceuticals, and green technologies.

India’s focus on renewable energy, mobility, smart cities, logistics, and industrial corridors presents major opportunities for Italian expertise and investment. In turn, Italy’s advanced manufacturing ecosystem provides Indian businesses access to high-value European industrial networks.

Business forums, startup exchanges, and industry partnerships are expected to play a growing role in strengthening commercial ties between the two nations. The growing commercial depth of the India–Italy partnership is being reinforced through the exchange of multiple Business Forums and high-level interactions between Indian and Italian CEOs representing sectors such as defence, digital technologies, energy transition, infrastructure, and logistics.

Both countries also share an ambitious vision of expanding bilateral trade to Euro 20 billion by 2029 and view the early implementation of the India–EU Free Trade Agreement as a major catalyst for deeper economic integration, greater market access, and long-term investment cooperation.

Cultural Diplomacy and Civilisational Connect

Beyond economics and geopolitics, India and Italy are also strengthening people-to-people and cultural ties. During his engagements in Italy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the civilisational similarities between Rome and Varanasi, describing them as “eternal cities” connected by history, culture, and spiritual heritage. Such symbolism reflects the growing importance of cultural diplomacy in modern international relations.

Educational exchanges, tourism cooperation, academic partnerships, and cultural initiatives are expected to deepen mutual understanding and further strengthen bilateral goodwill.

In many ways, the India–Italy relationship is evolving into a multidimensional partnership that combines strategic pragmatism with cultural affinity.

It goes without saying that the India–Italy relationship is steadily evolving into a multidimensional partnership that seamlessly blends strategic pragmatism with cultural affinity. The decision to celebrate 2027 as the “Year of Culture and Tourism between India and Italy” further underscores the growing emphasis both countries are placing on cultural diplomacy, tourism, and deeper people-to-people engagement.

Cultural and institutional cooperation is also gaining fresh momentum through new agreements, including collaboration on the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujarat, as well as initiatives related to the recruitment of nurses from India, reflecting the expanding scope and practical orientation of bilateral cooperation.

A Model for Middle-Power Cooperation

The expanding India–Italy partnership also carries broader global significance. In an increasingly multipolar world, countries like India and Italy are emerging as influential middle powers capable of shaping global conversations on development, sustainability, technology governance, and strategic stability.

Their growing cooperation demonstrates how democratic nations from different regions can build flexible and future-oriented partnerships based on shared interests rather than rigid geopolitical blocs.

For India, stronger ties with Italy reinforce its engagement with Europe and strengthen its global economic and strategic outreach. For Italy, India represents a critical long-term partner in the Indo-Pacific and a major force in the future global economy.

The partnership is also increasingly shaped by consultations on major regional and global developments, including the Indo-Pacific, India–EU relations, and conflicts in West Asia and Europe. India has continued to underline the importance of dialogue and diplomacy for the peaceful resolution of ongoing conflicts.

Looking Ahead

As global geopolitics undergoes rapid transformation, the India–Italy partnership is steadily evolving into one of the most promising strategic relationships between Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

Whether through defence cooperation, connectivity initiatives, clean energy partnerships, innovation ecosystems, or Global South engagement, both nations are building a framework designed for long-term collaboration and mutual growth.

The India–Italy Joint Declaration and the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029 mark not just a diplomatic milestone, but the beginning of a new era of strategic cooperation grounded in trust, innovation, resilience, and shared global responsibility.