The leaders of India and Italy reaffirmed mutual commitments to global affairs and shared strategic interests at the 2024 G7 Summit. Their collaboration on economic, technological, and security dilemmas set a promising precedent for future cooperation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s significant diplomatic journey to Italy in June 2024 marked his first foreign trip after securing a historic third term in office. His participation in the Group of Seven (G7) summit held in Apulia, Southern Italy, underscored India’s burgeoning global influence and highlighted the deepening bilateral relations between India and Italy. The leaders of both nations reviewed the progress of their strategic partnership, reaffirming their commitment to strengthen cooperation in global fora and multilateral initiatives.

Modern diplomatic ties between the two nations formalised in 1947 following India’s independence. Since then, relations have flourished across political, economic, cultural, and scientific fronts. Recent years have seen a significant uptick in bilateral engagement. Modi’s attendance at the October 2021 Group of 20 (G20) Leaders’ Summit in Italy was a watershed moment, reciprocated by Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni’s visit to India in March 2023. Meloni’s participation as Chief Guest at the Raisina Dialogue and the subsequent signing of a defence cooperation memorandum of understanding (MoU) marked the elevation of bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership.

Throughout 2023, high-level exchanges solidified ties, including visits by Italian ministers for G20 meetings and bilateral talks, and reciprocal visits by Indian ministers such as Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to Italy.

At the June 2024 G7 Summit, Modi’s engagement with Meloni underscored their shared strategic interests, reaffirming mutual commitments to global affairs and shared values. These engagements highlight the dynamic and evolving nature of the India-Italy relationship in the contemporary geopolitical landscape.

India’s Diplomatic Stand at the G7 Summit: Emphasis on Global Challenges and Technological Equity

At the G7 summit, Modi reaffirmed India’s dedication to representing the Global South, advocating for a policy of multi-alignment and autonomy. His diplomatic approach balanced Western engagements with critical partnerships, including discussions with leaders like Meloni, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. While Modi’s decision to skip the Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland sparked debate, his bilateral engagements in Italy highlighted India’s proactive role in shaping global agendas.

Modi echoed Meloni’s rationale for selecting Apulia as the summit venue, emphasising the G7’s commitment to enhancing dialogue with Global South nations. He highlighted India’s commitment to addressing international challenges and particularly focused on the plight of impoverished populations in the Global South amid global uncertainties. Modi’s advocacy for technological inclusivity and an end to monopolies resonated with broader global equity and sustainability goals, aligning India’s agenda with international priorities.

Economic and Strategic Partnership

The bilateral discussions between Modi and Meloni underscored the comprehensive India-Italy economic and strategic partnership, emphasising defense, technology, and economic development. Bilateral trade between India and Italy has witnessed robust growth in recent years, fuelled by economic recovery following the Covid-19 pandemic. Italy ranks as India’s fourth-largest trading partner within the European Union, trailing behind Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Italy is the 18th largest foreign investor in India, with a cumulative Foreign Direct Investment of US$3.53 billion by December 2023, hosting over 700 Italian companies employing approximately 60,000 people and generating a turnover of €9.7 billion. Key firms include Ferrero, Fiat, CNH, and Perfetti, with success stories like Ferrero’s Indian operations and Indian investments in companies like Mahindra in Pininfarina and Titagarh in Firema Railways.

The Italian Navy Ship ITS Morosini’s visit to India in August 2023 showcased strengthened defence ties. Defence collaboration was further strengthened later that year by an MoU signed during Rajnath Singh’s October visit to Italy and complemented by Joint Defense Committee (JDC) and Military Cooperation Group (MCG) meetings in March 2024. Italy’s G7 presidency bolstered cooperation, highlighting joint commitments to global stability and prosperity. This reinforced India and Italy’s strategic alignment, paving the way for increased collaboration across vital sectors crucial for mutual growth and international influence.

Global Commons and Security Challenges

Beyond bilateral ties, India and Italy are actively engaged in addressing global commons and security challenges. Their cooperation extends to initiatives aimed at combating climate change, promoting sustainable development, and enhancing maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region. Italy has joined India-led initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI), Global Bio-Fuels Alliance (GBA), and the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), demonstrating shared perspectives on crucial global issues. This cooperative synergy between India’s proactive diplomacy and Italy’s strategic foresight underscores their collective commitment to shaping a secure and fair global order.

Conclusion: A Path Forward

Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Italy for the G7 summit reaffirmed India’s diplomatic strength and bolstered bilateral ties with Italy. The camaraderie between Modi and Meloni underscored a deepening strategic partnership marked by mutual respect and shared goals for global peace and prosperity. As both nations tackle complex global challenges, their collaboration on economic, technological, and security issues sets a promising precedent for future cooperation. India and Italy are poised to strengthen their relationship, contributing to a more inclusive and resilient international framework.

Dr Ashok Sharma is a Visiting Fellow at UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy. Dr Sharma is also an Academic Fellow at the Australia-India Institute, the University of Melbourne.