Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni (right) leave after making statements following their meeting at Villa Pamphili in Rome on May 20, 2026.
| Photo Credit: AP
India and Italy have been in continuous contact over the conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, reiterating his call for “dialogue and diplomacy” to resolve the festering wars.
Also read: PM Modi’s visit to Italy highlights on May 20, 2026
Delivering a press statement in Rome during the end of his visit of Europe, Mr. Modi described India-Italy relation as a “win-win partnership” and welcomed the upgradation of bilateral ties to the level of “Special Strategic Partnership”.
“We have remained in continuous contact over Ukraine, West Asia and other areas of hostilities. India has a clear position that all problems should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy,” said Mr. Modi in his press statement. “I am happy that we are upgrading our ties to the level of Special Strategic Partnership,” said Mr. Modi further.
Modi and Meloni outline road map for India-Italy strategic partnership
The Ministry of External Affairs said that the Special Strategic Partnership will lead to strengthened cooperation in trade, technology, defence, clean energy and innovation as well as in the field of mobility of skilled and non-skilled workers through safe and secure channels. The two sides also sealed a “Defence Industrial Road Map”, an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in critical minerals, and another agreement for cooperation between the Italian Corps of the Guardia di Finanza and the Directorate of Enforcement (ED).
Agriculture research
A Joint Statement issued on the occasion of Mr. Modi’s visit announced that the two sides have signed an agreement on agriculture and agricultural research that will connect Ministries and institutions of India and Italy.
The two sides also expressed commitment “to a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific, in line with international law, including UNCLOS.” Turning to the situation in the Gulf region, the Joint Statement called for “freedom of navigation and the resumption of global flows through Strait of Hormuz”.
In a significant push, ahead of the India-Africa Forum Summit-4, the two sides said they have agreed work on selected projects trilaterally in partners in Africa.
In this regard, the Joint Statement said, “Recognising the strategic priority both countries attach to Africa, the two Prime Ministers agreed to work together in trilateral initiatives with African partners in areas such as Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), agriculture, education, healthcare, artificial intelligence, connectivity and infrastructure and renewable energy in line with India’s development partnership in Africa and Italy’s Mattei Plan.”
Mr. Modi pointed out that more than 800 Italian companies are operating in India and are contributing to the economic growth story of India. He acknowledged the support that India has received from Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for the conclusion of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement. Mr. Modi called on Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella at the end of official exchanges in Rome.
Agricola Medal
Mr. Modi was conferred with the Agricola Medal for 2026 by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, at the FAO headquarters in Rome. A press release from the Ministry said Mr. Modi received the award from Dr. Qu Dongyu, Director-General of FAO. “Prime Minister recalled that as a founding member of FAO, India was privileged to work with the organisation to foster global food security, sustainable agriculture and a hunger-free world,” said the Ministry in the press note.
Mr. Modi also thanked the FAO for collaborating with India to “promote healthy food choices through the celebration of the International Year of Millets”.
Published – May 20, 2026 06:06 pm IST
