India and Italy Elevate Ties to Special Strategic Partnership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday announced the elevation of bilateral relations to a “Special Strategic Partnership”, signalling a major expansion in cooperation across defence, trade, technology and manufacturing.

“I am pleased to announce that we are upgrading our ties to Special Strategic Partnership,” Modi said during a joint press statement with Meloni after bilateral talks in Rome.

The announcement marked a significant milestone in India-Italy relations, with both leaders underlining their intent to deepen engagement beyond conventional areas of cooperation.

Meloni described the visit as a “historic day” for ties between the two countries and highlighted that this was Modi’s first bilateral visit to Italy since taking office in 2014. She noted that the previous bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Italy had taken place in 2000.

“Today, with this visit, not only are we bridging this gap but together, we have decided to revitalise our relations,” Meloni said, adding that both sides had worked “with determination” to take bilateral ties “to the highest level ever”.

The Italian Prime Minister said India and Italy had built a friendship based on “respect and mutual trust” and stressed that both nations were strengthening cooperation in several sectors, including defence.

“We've worked on many initiatives. We are working on defence cooperation. India and Italy are strengthening ties,” Meloni said.

Modi said discussions between the two leaders went “beyond a fixed agenda” and reflected growing strategic convergence between New Delhi and Rome.

The Prime Minister also said the two countries were promoting a joint manufacturing and supply-chain approach under the vision of “develop in India and Italy and deliver to the world”.

Highlighting growing economic engagement, Modi said more than 800 Italian companies were contributing to India’s growth story.

He also thanked Italy for its cooperation in advancing negotiations on the proposed India-European Union Free Trade Agreement, describing the pact as important for expanding economic opportunities between India and Europe.