InternationalWednesday, 20 May 2026·The Hindu
India-Italy strategic partnership: 2029 trade target of €20 billion and EU FTA push
India and Italy reaffirmed in May 2026 that bilateral ties will deepen across key sectors, with a €20 billion trade target by 2029.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In May 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome and said India-Italy ties will be elevated to a special strategic partnership, with a 2029 bilateral trade target of €20 billion.
Key specifics
- India and Italy described their ties as moving from friendship to a “special strategic partnership” in 2026.
- The leaders set a bilateral trade target of €20 billion by 2029.
- Priority sectors named include defence, space, clean technologies, machinery, auto components, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
- The joint note linked stronger trade and investment flows to the proposed India-EU free trade agreement.
- The statement highlighted Italy’s design and manufacturing strengths and India’s scale, engineering and innovation ecosystem.
Exam lens
Question type: International relations and economy match-the-following, key facts: Rome, May 2026, Narendra Modi, Giorgia Meloni, €20 billion by 2029, India-EU FTA. TNPSC one-liner: India-Italy ties were upgraded in 2026 with a clear trade and sectoral cooperation roadmap.