India–Italy Joint Declaration
Why in News?
The India–Italy Joint Declaration is in the news because, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Italy on 19–20 May 2026, the two countries formally elevated their bilateral ties to a “Special Strategic Partnership”, backed by a detailed Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029 and multiple new agreements.
About
This Declaration marks a major upgrade in India–Italy relations, especially in trade, defence, critical minerals, space, AI, and connectivity projects like IMEC, and is being widely reported as a step toward deeper Indo‑Pacific and EU–India integration.
Economic & Trade Targets
- €20 Billion Trade Target: Both countries committed to expanding two-way bilateral trade to reach €20 billion ($23.2 billion) by 2029.
- EU-India FTA Push: The leaders vowed to leverage opportunities arising from negotiations for the early conclusion and implementation of the EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
- Investment Ecosystem: Focus areas for deeper integration of supply chains—especially involving Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)—include semiconductors, automotive, clean tech, textiles, and pharma.
Strategic and Defence Cooperation
- Defence Industrial Roadmap: They sealed a defence roadmap prioritizing co-design, co-development, and co-production in fields like helicopters, naval platforms, electronic warfare, and marine armaments.
- Counter-Terrorism & Terror Financing: The leaders launched the India-Italy Joint Initiative to Counter Financing of Terrorism, issuing strong condemnation against cross-border terrorism and vowing joint action via the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
Technology, Space, & Innovation
- INNOVIT India Hub: Announced the creation of INNOVIT India, a dedicated innovation and incubation hub to accelerate startup ecosystems in AI, fintech, quantum computing, and healthcare.
- Space Exploration Expansion: Agreed to expand joint aerospace initiatives between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) in Earth observation, heliophysics, and lunar science.
- Critical Minerals Partnership: Signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a structured framework for securing critical mineral supply chains and recycling e-waste.
Connectivity & Mobility
- IMEC Corridor Progress: Reaffirmed absolute commitment to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), calling for the first IMEC Ministerial meeting to advance the project.
- Maritime Transport MoU: Signed an agreement on maritime transport and ports, ordering a joint working group to modernize shipping routes.
- Healthcare Mobility: Signed a significant pact to facilitate the legal recruitment and mobility of Indian nurses to Italy, addressing skilled labour shortages.
Culture, Tourism & Global Affairs
- Year of Culture (2027): Declared that 2027 will be celebrated as the "Year of Culture and Tourism between India and Italy" to mark the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
- Lothal Maritime Complex: Italy will cooperate on developing India's landmark National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in Lothal, Gujarat.
- Geopolitical Consensus: The declaration backed diplomacy for peaceful resolutions to ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, explicitly calling for freedom of navigation and the immediate unblocking of global flows through the Strait of Hormuz.
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