Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have taken a significant step by elevating their bilateral relationship to the level of a special strategic partnership. During a meeting at Villa Doria Pamphili, Meloni described the day as historic, marking the first bilateral visit by an Indian leader to Italy since the year 2000. Both leaders set a goal to increase bilateral trade from 14 billion to 20 billion euros by 2029, leveraging the potential of the free trade agreement between the European Union and India.
Digital and technological roadmap as the driving force of the agreement 🤝
On the technical front, the agreement includes close collaboration in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and energy transition. Italy seeks access to the Indian technological ecosystem, particularly in software and semiconductors, while India aims to leverage European expertise in industrial automation and renewable energy. The interoperability of digital payment systems (Indian UPI and European TIPS) is also on the table, reducing transaction costs. Cooperation in startups and innovation centers is expected to generate synergies in sectors such as electric mobility and battery storage.
Modi and Meloni: a working dinner without pizza or curry 🍝
Logically, when two leaders meet to sign multi-million dollar agreements, the first thing they wonder is whether there will be pizza or curry at the official dinner. In the end, they opted for a neutral menu: pesto pasta, which offends no one and avoids geopolitical debates about whether pineapple should go on pizza. Meanwhile, advisors were calculating how many more euros will be needed for bilateral trade to reach 20 billion without anyone having to sell their Vespa to a Bombay magnate.