‘India and Italy at decisive stage’: Modi, Meloni chart future ties in joint piece

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have jointly outlined an ambitious new roadmap for India-Italy relations, describing the partnership as a crucial strategic bridge linking Europe, the Mediterranean and the Indo-Pacific.

Writing in a joint article published ahead of Modi’s visit to Rome, the two leaders said ties between India and Italy had entered a “decisive stage” and evolved into a “special strategic partnership” based on democratic values, economic cooperation and shared geopolitical interests.

The article framed the relationship within the emerging concept of the “Indo-Mediterranean”, arguing that the Mediterranean region and the Indo-Pacific can no longer be viewed as separate strategic spaces.

“We are witnessing the emergence of what might be termed the Indo-Mediterranean,” Modi and Meloni wrote, describing it as a corridor connecting Europe and the Indian Ocean through trade, technology, energy, infrastructure and digital networks.

A central pillar of the proposed partnership is the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), the connectivity initiative unveiled during the G20 Summit in New Delhi in 2023. The two leaders said IMEC represents a long-term vision aimed at building modern transport links, resilient supply chains, digital connectivity and energy infrastructure across Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

Both countries, they added, remain committed to working with international partners to turn the project into a functional economic and strategic corridor.

The article also highlighted rapidly expanding economic cooperation between India and Italy. Modi and Meloni pointed to the growing alignment between India’s “Make in India” initiative and Italy’s globally recognised manufacturing and industrial expertise.

“‘Made in Italy’ has always been synonymous with excellence worldwide, and today it finds a natural synergy with the high-quality goals of the ‘Make in India’ initiative,” the leaders wrote. According to the article, more than 1,000 Indian and Italian companies are now operating across both countries, strengthening industrial partnerships and supply-chain integration.

The two prime ministers also stressed the need for cooperation on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, warning against the misuse of digital systems in ways that could undermine democracy and individual rights.

“Technology cannot replace individuals or undermine their fundamental rights, nor be used to manipulate public debate or alter democratic processes,” they wrote, calling for an AI governance framework rooted in “freedom and human dignity”.

Modi and Meloni further linked the partnership to deeper civilisational values, invoking India’s concept of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” alongside Italy’s Renaissance traditions of humanism and openness. “Our shared vision aims to lay the foundation for a strong and forward-looking India-Italy partnership with our people at the centre,” the article said.

The joint statement comes ahead of bilateral talks expected to deepen cooperation in trade, defence, clean energy, connectivity and advanced technologies, while both sides are also expected to formalise a roadmap for regular summit-level engagements in the coming years.