India and Italy Become Special Strategic Partners in Rome

Overview

On 20 May 2026, India and Italy raised their relationship to a Special Strategic Partnership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made the announcement in Rome. The partnership covers many areas: defence, trade, technology, artificial intelligence, space, and nuclear energy. This was PM Modi’s first bilateral visit to Italy in 26 years. Both countries are now closer friends than ever before.

Historic Announcement in Rome

The capital of Italy, Rome, hosted a very important meeting on 20 May 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. After their talks, they announced that India and Italy would now be Special Strategic Partners. This is a big step forward. It means both countries will work together more closely on many important matters.

What Does the Partnership Cover?

The new partnership is not limited to one or two areas. It is very wide. The cooperation will cover:

• Defence

• Trade

• Technology

• Manufacturing

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• Critical minerals

• Space

• Nuclear energy

• Mobility (movement of students, professionals, and workers)

This shows that both nations want a deep and broad friendship.

A Long History of Friendly Ties

India and Italy have been friends for a long time. They established diplomatic relations right after India’s independence in 1947. Italy is a member of the European Union and the G7 (Group of Seven advanced economies). Over the years, they have cooperated in trade, defence, culture, and many international forums. They also hold regular political dialogues through joint commissions and ministerial meetings.

The Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029

The two countries already have a five‑year plan. It is called the India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029. This plan provides a clear roadmap for cooperation. It includes time‑bound steps in defence, trade, technology, manufacturing, and innovation. Bilateral trade between India and Italy is moving towards a target of 20 billion euros. That is a very big number and shows how much they trade with each other.

Active Cooperation on the Ground

Many Italian companies are already working in India. More than 400 Italian companies are active across sectors like:

• Manufacturing

• Engineering

• Automotive

• Machinery

• Design‑related industries

On 20 May 2026, India and Italy also discussed new areas of cooperation: artificial intelligence, critical minerals, space, and nuclear energy. The Migration and Mobility