New Delhi, May 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Italy marked the final leg of his five-nation tour. Upon his arrival in Rome, he was warmly welcomed by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The two leaders engaged in discussions on several important issues.
On Wednesday, Meloni stated that India and Italy can effectively tackle global challenges by further strengthening their deep strategic partnership and cultural ties. Modi shared on social media that he co-authored a joint op-ed with Meloni, highlighting the elevated status of India-Italy bilateral relations.
A notable moment during Modi’s visit was when he gifted Meloni India’s popular candy, ‘Melody.’ A video of this exchange went viral on social media, showcasing Meloni’s enthusiastic praise for the treat.
Experts monitoring international developments believe that while Modi presented the Melody gift recently, the foundation for a sweet relationship was laid back in 2022 when Meloni first met Modi at the G20 summit in Bali. Since then, their seven meetings have transformed India-Italy relations, bringing them to a historic peak of friendship.
During the G20 summit, Meloni expressed excitement about strengthening ties with India, while Modi was in search of a reliable partner in Europe. This led to agreements on green hydrogen, supply chains, and technology.
Their second meeting occurred when Meloni visited India in 2023 for the Raisina Dialogue, during which both nations officially designated their relationship as a “strategic partnership.”
The G20 summit held in New Delhi in September 2023 elevated their relationship further, with Italy deciding to join the India-Italy Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). This corridor is seen as a maritime network directly connecting India to Europe and is viewed as a counter to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Italy’s participation in IMEC is not only a significant achievement for India but also a substantial setback for China.
Subsequent meetings occurred at the COP-28 summit in Dubai in December 2023 and the G7 summit in Apulia, Italy, in June 2024, further nurturing India-Italy bilateral relations.
Both countries have now emphasized enhancing joint military exercises, maritime security, and intelligence sharing. Italian defense companies are showing interest in co-producing military equipment in India, benefiting the “Make in India” initiative. India’s growing defense capabilities and Italy’s strategic position in Europe have made this partnership increasingly vital.
Regarding bilateral trade, there has been notable improvement since 2020-21, with rapid growth over time. After the COVID-19 pandemic, both nations revived their economic relations, with bilateral trade reaching approximately 8.5 billion euros.
In 2021-22, trade surged past 13.2 billion euros, and continued to grow in 2023-24, reaching 14.6 billion euros. In 2024, both countries implemented a joint strategic action plan for 2025-2029.
By 2025-2026, bilateral trade stabilized at around 14.25 billion euros, with India enjoying a significant trade surplus. Notably, Italy’s investment in India saw substantial growth in 2025.
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