From Sweden to Italy: PM Modi Ends the Europe Tour That Began on 15 May
- News Desk
- 19 hours ago
- 2 min read
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Italy on 20 May 2026 formed the final leg of his Europe tour that began on 15 May, bringing together a series of engagements that placed India’s ties with Europe firmly in focus. In Rome, the visit centred on a major upgrade in India–Italy relations, high-level political meetings and recognition from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
A partnership that moved up a new level
During official talks in Rome, Prime Minister Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni agreed to elevate the India–Italy relationship from a Strategic Partnership to a Special Strategic Partnership. The two leaders also decided to institutionalise annual meetings between leaders, including on the margins of multilateral events, and regular consultations at ministerial and senior official levels.
The talks reviewed progress under the India–Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029 and identified wider cooperation in trade and investment, defence and security, science and technology, research and innovation, space, energy, artificial intelligence and education. The leaders also agreed that a Foreign Minister-level mechanism would track implementation of the Action Plan, giving the relationship a more structured and sustained framework.
Link between India and Europe
The Rome visit also placed India–Italy cooperation within the wider India–EU agenda. Prime Minister Modi and President Sergio Mattarella discussed the need for an early conclusion and implementation of the India–EU Free Trade Agreement, alongside deeper collaboration on the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor.
The two sides said the corridor could support maritime security, digital connectivity and energy supplies, while also linking India more closely with Europe’s economic and strategic priorities. Prime Minister Modi also met Italian business leaders and Indian industry representatives, with discussions covering defence, digital technologies, energy transition, infrastructure and logistics. Both sides reiterated the goal of raising bilateral trade to €20 billion by 2029.
Food, farming and recognition
A major moment of the visit came at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, where Prime Minister Modi received the Agricola Medal from FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu. The honour recognised his leadership in advancing food security, sustainable agriculture and rural development.
Prime Minister Modi dedicated the medal to India’s farmers and agricultural scientists, linking the award to India’s wider contribution to food security and nutrition. He also highlighted India’s use of technology in agriculture, including digital public infrastructure, AI-based advisory systems, drones, remote sensing, precision farming and micro-irrigation. The visit was notable as the first by an Indian Head of Government to FAO headquarters in 30 years.
Defence, culture and next steps
The two governments also moved on practical areas of cooperation, including a Joint Declaration of Intent and an Industrial Roadmap for defence co-design, co-development and co-production. They welcomed stronger military engagement and port calls, as well as renewed cooperation on counter-terrorism and work already under way on financing of terrorism.
On the softer side of diplomacy, India and Italy agreed to mark 2027 as the Year of Culture and Tourism. They also welcomed new memoranda of understanding on the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal and on the recruitment of nurses from India, showing that the partnership is expanding beyond trade and strategy into human mobility and heritage.
