India, Italy Seal Defence Partnership as Meloni Eyes Deeper Ties

Meloni says India is now a strategic partner for Italy
Italian premier picked New Delhi for first visit in Asia

Giorgia Meloni and Narendra Modi during the ceremonial reception at the presidential palace in New Delhi, India, on March 2.Photographer: T. Narayan/Bloomberg

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By Chiara Albanese and Sudhi Ranjan Sen

March 2, 2023 at 8:42 AM UTC

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Italy and India have announced a plan to cooperate on defence and energy as Giorgia Meloni seeks to boost business deals with the Asian giant.

“We decided to become strategic partners as our relations are very solid,” Meloni said after a bilateral meeting with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, the first state visit by an Italian premier in over four years. “Trade between India and Italy has more than doubled in two years and is at a record of €15 billion ($16 billion), but we are convinced we can do more,” Meloni said.