Rome, May 20 (IANS). Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Italian counterpart Georgia Meloni on Wednesday said India and Italy can effectively face global challenges by strengthening their deep strategic partnership and cultural ties.
Prime Minister Modi said on social media platform X that he has written a joint op-ed with Georgia Meloni, which gives a glimpse of how bilateral relations between India and Italy have reached a turning point.
He said that the relationship between the two countries is a special strategic partnership and this strong relationship is driven by innovation, shared democratic values and a common vision of the future.
“Wrote an op-ed with PM Meloni on how India-Italy relations have reached a turning point. We have a special strategic partnership driven by innovation, shared democratic values and a common vision for the future,” he wrote on
In a joint op-ed, both the leaders acknowledged that bilateral relations have entered a transformational phase.
Prime Minister Modi and Italy’s PM Meloni wrote, “Relations between India and Italy have now reached a decisive phase. In recent years, relations between the two countries have witnessed unprecedented growth and have evolved from cordial friendship to a true strategic partnership based on freedom, democracy and a shared vision of the future.”
He underlined that India and Italy are continuously working on political dialogue and institutional cooperation to strengthen their partnership.
The op ed further read, “At a time when the international system is undergoing profound change, the Italy-India partnership moves beyond regular dialogue at the highest political and institutional levels and is now acquiring a new and broader dimension, combining our economic dynamism, social creativity and thousands of years of civilizational understanding.”
Both top leaders believe that the basis of a prosperous future and security will be innovation, energy transition and strategic sovereignty.
It further wrote, “Our cooperation reflects the shared understanding that prosperity and security in the 21st century will be determined by how capable countries are in innovation, managing the energy transition, and strengthening strategic sovereignty. To this end, we have resolved to deepen and diversify our bilateral relations, so as to achieve new goals and make better use of each other’s complementary capabilities.”
PM Modi and Meloni further said that India and Italy are aiming to move forward by creating a “powerful synergy” that will combine Italy’s design, manufacturing and supercomputing capability with India’s rapid economic growth, engineering talent and innovation-led startup ecosystem.
According to both, this will not be just a simple integration, but will be a shared value creation in which the industrial strengths of both the countries will make each other stronger.
The op-ed also emphasized industrial cooperation and trade. It was said that India and Italy will together combine the strengths of ‘Made in Italy’ and ‘Make in India’, while a target has been set to increase bilateral trade to 20 billion Euros by 2029 through FTAs and investment targets.
The leaders also pointed to the growing industrial presence of businesses from both countries.
It further wrote, “In this context, the increasing interest of Italian companies in producing for India and the growing presence of Indian industry in Italy, whose number now exceeds 1,000 on both sides, is a positive sign that will further strengthen the integration of our supply chains.”
The article described technology and innovation as the center of the partnership. There is an emphasis on cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, advanced manufacturing and digital infrastructure, adopting a human-centric and ethical approach. India’s MANAV (Human) concept and Italy’s ‘Algor-Ethics’ will be the guides in this.
The op ed talks about democratic values and individual freedom under the shadow of technological development.
He said, “Seeing AI as a medium created by humans for humans means making it clear that technology can neither replace people, nor undermine their fundamental rights, nor should it be used to influence public opinion or alter democratic processes. Our approach to protecting freedom and human dignity in an increasingly connected world is based on this challenge.”
The op-ed also highlighted cooperation in the areas of space, defence, security and energy. India’s advances in satellite and space technology and Italy’s aerospace expertise will create opportunities for joint projects.
According to the article, “India’s impressive progress in space exploration and satellite technology, as well as Italy’s outstanding capabilities in aerospace engineering, offer huge opportunities for joint initiatives and next-generation technology development.”
It reads, “Security and stability remain vital to ensure the prosperity of countries. Italy and India wish to further strengthen their cooperation in sectors such as defence, security and strategic technology. Our cooperation will help in ensuring the security of vital sea routes and enhancing resilience against threats such as terrorism, transnational criminal networks, drug trafficking, cybercrime and human trafficking.”
Cooperation in the field of energy was also described as an important pillar of the relations between the two countries.
Various sources of energy are mentioned in the article. It reads, “The global transition towards diversified energy sources requires innovation, investment and collaboration. India and Italy are working together in a number of areas, from renewable energy to hydrogen technology, and from smart grids to robust infrastructure. While India’s initiative to become a green hydrogen export hub offers immense potential, it also complements Italy’s advanced technology in renewable infrastructure and its strategic role as an energy gateway to Europe.” Matches perfectly.”
The two leaders also underlined the strategic and economic importance of the Indo-Mediterranean Corridor and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.
Wrote, “Physical, digital and human connectivity is the link that binds us together. Both India and Italy are located between two important centers of the global economy, the Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean. These regions should not be seen as separate realms, but as increasingly interconnected regions.”
In conclusion, PM Modi and PM Meloni said that only on the basis of deep partnership and cultural ties can we face common global challenges. He described the concepts of Indian philosophy as ‘Dharma’ and ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and the humanist traditions of Italy as the basis of the shared vision.
–IANS
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