India-Italy Strengthen Strategic Partnership with Focus on Trade, Defence, and IMEEC

India and Italy have taken a major step toward deepening their bilateral ties by focusing on critical areas such as trade, defence, clean energy, and strategic connectivity, particularly through the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) and the Joint Strategic Action Plan (JSAP) 2025–29. This renewed cooperation was solidified during the recent visit of Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani to India, which emphasized both countries’ shared vision for a secure, prosperous, and interconnected Indo-Pacific and global order.

Key Highlights of the India-Italy Strategic Partnership

Bilateral Relations: Latest Developments

Strong commitment from both nations to expand cooperation in,

• Trade and investment
• Defence and security
• Clean energy and green transition
• High technology and infrastructure

Visit of Antonio Tajani resulted in,

• Strategic discussions with EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar
• Review of the JSAP 2025–29
• Emphasis on implementing IMEEC

High-Level Diplomatic Engagement

Focus areas of diplomatic talks,

• Boosting bilateral trade
• Defence industrial collaboration
• Advancing cooperation in space, science, and digital technology
• Enhancing people-to-people exchanges and professional mobility

Geopolitical Convergence

• Support for a free and inclusive Indo-Pacific
• Dialogue on Indo-Pacific security, Global South, and multilateral reform
• Reaffirmation of India’s Act East and IPOI (Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative)

JSAP 2025–29: Joint Strategic Action Plan

• Launched during Modi-Meloni meeting in November 2023 (Rio de Janeiro)
• Objective: Framework to guide bilateral ties in the next 5 years

Key Sectors

• AI, Cybersecurity, Digital Technologies
• Renewable energy and biofuels
• Telecom, Biotechnology, Education, and Youth mobility

Expected Outcomes

• Tech transfer and innovation-led collaborations
• Institutional frameworks for regular dialogue
• Youth engagement and professional exchange programs

IMEEC – India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor

Strategic corridor to boost

• Multimodal connectivity
• Trade integration and energy security between India, Middle East, and Europe

India and Italy’s proactive role

• Italy appoints a special envoy for IMEEC
• Renewed bilateral commitment to advance project implementation

India-Italy Relations: A Snapshot

• Diplomatic ties established in 1947
• Deep-rooted cultural, educational, and architectural collaboration
• Strategic Partnership declared in March 2023
• During Italian PM Giorgia Meloni’s visit to India

Economic Linkages

• Italy: India’s 4th largest EU trading partner
• Trade Volume (2023–24): Over $15 billion
• Key sectors: Machinery, automotive, chemicals, fashion, renewable energy

People-to-People Ties

• ~200,000 Indian diaspora in Italy
• Strong academic and cultural exchanges

Recent Advancements

• Signing of JSAP 2025–29
• Italy’s inclusion in the IMEEC
• Expanded defence cooperation and industrial joint ventures