Enhancing defence collaboration, economic ties, energy transition, and cultural exchanges were the focus of bilateral discussion when Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Italian counterpart Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Apulia, during the G7 Outreach Summit.
The two leaders reviewed the progress of the India-Italy Strategic Partnership, expressing satisfaction with the regular high-level political dialogue.
Ahead of the forthcoming visit of the Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour and the training ship ITS Vespucci to India later this year the two leaders expressed hope for further enhancing the defence industrial collaboration.
Modi acknowledged the Italian Government’s recognition of the Indian Army’s contribution during the Italian Campaign in World War II. He informed his Italian counterpart that India would be upgrading the Yashwant Ghadge Memorial at Montone in Italy, further cementing the historical ties between the two nations.
They underscored the importance of expanding trade and economic collaboration, particularly in clean energy, manufacturing, space, science and technology, telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals. This expansion aims to build resilient supply chains between the two nations. In this context, they welcomed the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Industrial Property Rights, which provides a framework for cooperation on patents, designs, and trademarks.
In addition to defence cooperation, the leaders took note of the coordination under the ‘Global Biofuels Alliance’ and welcomed the signing of the Letter of Intent for Cooperation in Energy Transition. This agreement is set to boost bilateral cooperation in clean and green energy, aligning with both nations’ commitment to sustainable development. They also expressed satisfaction at the new Executive Programme of Cooperation for 2025-27, aimed at promoting joint research and development in science and technology.
The meeting also highlighted the strong people-to-people connections between India and Italy. This bond is propelled by the longstanding tradition of Indological studies in Italy. The establishment of the first Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) chair on India studies at the University of Milan is expected to further strengthen these cultural ties. The two leaders called for the early implementation of the Migration and Mobility Agreement, which would facilitate the mobility of professionals, skilled and semi-skilled workers, students, and researchers between the two countries.
Both leaders expressed their commitment to the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative, aiming to fulfill their shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. This initiative underscores the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific region and the need for cooperative measures to ensure its stability and prosperity.
The leaders, according to an official statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also discussed important regional and global issues, agreeing to strengthen cooperation in global fora and multilateral initiatives, including the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. This corridor is expected to enhance economic connectivity and foster regional development.
The discussions and agreements reached during this meeting are expected to have a lasting impact on the strategic partnership between the two nations, promoting mutual growth and development in various sectors.