Rome — India and Italy will push to expand cooperation in trade, defence, mobility and maritime security during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bilateral visit to Rome, Indian Ambassador to Italy Vani Rao said. The trip, the final stop on Mr. Modi’s five-nation tour from May 15–20, is intended to review existing ties and set a more ambitious agenda for the future.
Rao identified four priority areas for the high-level talks: boosting bilateral trade and investment, strengthening defence industrial partnerships, increasing mobility of talent and knowledge, and enhancing maritime security and port cooperation. She said Indian officials are inviting Italian companies to consider long-term investments and joint ventures in India, while defence discussions will look at deeper industrial collaboration.
“The visit is aimed at delivering substantive outcomes across these sectors,” Rao said, adding that specific agreements would be unveiled during the visit. She highlighted the growing strategic convergence between New Delhi and Rome in both the Indo-Pacific and Mediterranean theatres and stressed shared concerns such as resilient supply chains, energy security and competitive industrial ecosystems.
Rao also noted the common democratic values and commitments to global peace and inclusive development that underpin the partnership.
Mr. Modi’s official visit to Italy runs May 19–20 at the invitation of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. He is scheduled to meet President Sergio Mattarella and hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Meloni. This follows Mr. Modi’s attendance at the G7 summit in Italy in June 2024.
Bilateral momentum is being driven by the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029, which frames cooperation across trade, investment, defence, clean energy, science and technology, and people-to-people links. Trade between the two countries reached about USD 16.77 billion in 2025, with cumulative Italian FDI in India at roughly USD 3.66 billion from April 2000 through September 2025.
The ambassador’s comments were made ahead of the visit and outline expectations that the trip will open new avenues for economic and strategic collaboration between the two nations.
