New Delhi, May 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Italy marked the final stop 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 significant issues.
On Wednesday, Meloni stated that India and Italy could more 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 bilateral relations between India and Italy.
A notable moment during Modi’s Italy visit was the gifting of India’s popular candy, ‘Melody’, to Meloni. A video of this exchange went viral on social media, showcasing Modi presenting the candy while Meloni praised it enthusiastically.
Experts tracking international developments suggest that while Modi may have gifted Melody recently, the foundation for sweetness in bilateral relations was laid during their first meeting at the G-20 summit in Bali in 2022. Since then, seven meetings between the two leaders have transformed the trajectory of India-Italy relations, bringing them to a historic peak of friendship.
During the G-20 summit, Meloni expressed enthusiasm for strengthening ties with India, while Modi was in search of a reliable partner in Europe. This led to agreements on issues such as green hydrogen, supply chains, and technology.
Their second meeting occurred when Meloni visited India for the Raisina Dialogue in 2023, during which both countries officially designated their relationship as a ‘strategic partnership’.
The G-20 summit held in New Delhi in September 2023 further elevated their relations, with Italy deciding to join the India-Italy Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). This corridor is viewed as a maritime network connecting India directly to Europe and is seen as a response to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Italy’s participation in IMEC is not only a significant achievement for India but also a considerable setback for China.
Subsequent meetings took place during the COP-28 summit in Dubai in December 2023 and the G-7 summit in Apulia, Italy, in June 2024, further nurturing India-Italy bilateral relations.
Currently, both nations are focusing on 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. The growing defense capabilities of India and Italy’s strategic position in Europe have made this partnership increasingly vital.
Bilateral trade between India and Italy has seen improvement since 2020-21, growing steadily over time. After the COVID-19 pandemic, both countries revived their economic ties, with bilateral trade reaching approximately 8.5 billion euros. In 2021-22, trade surpassed 13.2 billion euros, and it continued to grow in 2023-24, reaching 14.6 billion euros. In 2024, both nations implemented a joint strategic action plan for 2025-2029.
By 2025-2026, total bilateral trade between the two countries stabilized at around 14.25 billion euros, with India enjoying a significant trade surplus. Notably, Italy’s investment in India saw considerable growth in 2025.
My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 8 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Udaipur Kiran & Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
