A key focus of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Rome visit was the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), a flagship initiative aimed at improving trade and infrastructure connectivity between India, the Middle East, and Europe.

India and Italy on Tuesday agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to a Special Strategic Partnership, marking a major step forward in cooperation across trade, investment, emerging technologies, and connectivity.

The announcement came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held high-level talks in Rome with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as part of the final leg of his five-nation diplomatic tour.

“We deliberated extensively on enhancing India-Italy ties,” PM Modi said during a joint press statement after the bilateral meeting.

India and Italy Upgrade Ties