During the last stage of his multi-nation European journey, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a formal military guard of honour in Rome, which was a significant diplomatic event. Along with talks on the Joint Strategic Action Plan, the visit highlights initiatives to strengthen defence, clean energy, and trade ties between Italy and India.
Giorgia Meloni, the prime minister of Italy, met with PM Modi informally and at a high level. Additionally, talks with Sergio Mattarella, the president of Italy, are planned.
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Meloni posted a candid picture of the two leaders that went viral, showing them both in the ancient Colosseum.
Building on a recent bilateral trade volume of around USD 16.77 billion, the countries are pursuing the Joint Strategic Action Plan (2025–2029).
When PM Modi arrived in Rome, he received a warm, cultural reception from the Indian community.
#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi being accorded the military guard of honour in Rome, on the second day of his visit to Italy. Italian PM Giorgia Meloni is also with him.
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2026
(Video: DD) pic.twitter.com/p0m2rY4guD
On May 19, PM Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni travelled to Rome to discuss the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029. With a goal of 20 billion euros ($23.2 billion) in bilateral trade by 2029, both nations hope to strengthen their relationship to a special strategic alliance.
From May 15 to May 20, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is wrapping up a high-profile diplomatic tour of five countries, including the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The tour places a strong emphasis on forging tech partnerships, safeguarding energy sources, and creating robust supply chains in the face of international geopolitical unpredictability.
To protect itself from supply shocks in West Asia, India made agreements guaranteeing long-term LPG supplies with the UAE. India also obtained an expansion plan that would enable ADNOC to store up to 30 million barrels of crude oil in the country.
In the Netherlands, Tata Electronics and the Dutch tech behemoth ASML struck a significant agreement to supply cutting-edge lithography equipment for a $11 billion fabrication facility in Dholera, Gujarat.
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