Joint opinion article outlines cooperation on manufacturing, AI, energy, infrastructure and the Indo-Mediterranean corridor

India and Italy said their bilateral relationship has entered a new phase in recent years, evolving from a traditional friendship into what they described as a strategic partnership based on democracy, freedom and a shared vision for the future.

The article stated that regular political and institutional exchanges between the two countries have strengthened cooperation in areas including economic growth, energy transition, innovation and strategic sovereignty. It added that both nations are seeking to deepen bilateral engagement through new objectives and complementary strengths.

The leaders highlighted cooperation between Italian design and manufacturing capabilities and India’s expanding engineering and innovation ecosystem. The article noted that India now has more than 100 unicorns and over 200,000 start-ups, while Italy maintains a strong industrial base and expertise in advanced manufacturing.

According to the article, the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and India could support increased trade and investment between the two sides. The authors said they aim to reach and exceed the Euro 20 billion target for bilateral trade by 2029. Sectors identified for expanded cooperation included aerospace, clean technologies, machinery, automotive components, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, agri-food, tourism and more.

The opinion piece also referred to the “Made in Italy” brand and linked it with India’s “Make in India” initiative, stating that increasing interest from Italian businesses in India and Indian companies in Italy could strengthen supply chain integration.

Technology and innovation were identified as key pillars of the partnership. The article referred to developments in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, advanced manufacturing, critical minerals and digital infrastructure as areas likely to influence future cooperation.

The leaders stated that India’s digital public infrastructure and multilingual technologies could contribute to inclusive development, particularly in the Global South. They also noted that artificial intelligence is already influencing societies and global economies, and stressed the importance of responsible and human-centred AI development.

The article connected India’s vision of MANAV with Italy’s focus on human-centric algorithms, saying cooperation in digital technologies should prioritise ethical standards, social empowerment and secure digital infrastructure. It also referenced the outcomes of the AI Impact Summit 2026 held in New Delhi and stated that AI should remain a tool created by humans for human use.

India and Italy also highlighted cooperation in the space sector, including space exploration and satellite technology. The article said India’s advances in space technology and Italy’s aerospace engineering capabilities could support joint initiatives and future technology development.

Security cooperation was identified as another major area of engagement. The article said both countries intend to strengthen collaboration in defence, maritime security and strategic technologies. It also mentioned cooperation against terrorism, international criminal networks, drug trafficking, cyber-crimes and human trafficking.

Energy transition and renewable energy were also discussed in the article. The leaders said India and Italy are working together on renewable energy, hydrogen technologies, smart grids and resilient infrastructure. The article stated that India’s hydrogen sector complements Italy’s renewable energy expertise and its position as an energy gateway for Europe.

The opinion piece further referred to joint participation in initiatives including the International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA).

The article described the Indo-Mediterranean region as an increasingly interconnected space linking trade, technology, energy, data and infrastructure between the Indian Ocean and Europe. It also referred to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as a framework aimed at improving regional connectivity through transport infrastructure, digital networks, energy systems and supply chains.

The leaders said India and Italy would continue working with partners to support implementation of the corridor and broader regional cooperation.

The article concluded by referring to shared cultural values and the concept of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” describing it as relevant in an interconnected digital age. It stated that the two countries aim to build a long-term partnership with people at the centre of cooperation.