PM Modi’s Italy visit highlights: India-Italy upgrade ties to ‘Special Strategic Partnership’; seal defence roadmap

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in a joint article published on various news platforms on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, outlined an expanded roadmap for cooperation between the two countries across sectors including trade, technology, energy, space and security, against the backdrop of an emerging “Indo-Mediterranean” corridor.

“The relationship between India and Italy has now reached a decisive stage. In recent years, our ties have expanded with unprecedented momentum, evolving from a cordial friendship into a special strategic partnership based on the values ​​of freedom and democracy and a common vision for the future,” Mr. Modi and Ms. Meloni said in their column titled “Strategic Partnership for the Indo-Mediterranean”.