New Delhi – Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a significant diplomatic conversation with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. This important PM Modi Meloni phone call focused on multiple strategic areas including the proposed European Union-India Free Trade Agreement, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and the implementation of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. The conversation underscored the strengthening partnership between India and Italy across various sectors.
The PM Modi Meloni phone call demonstrated both leaders’ commitment to deepening their nations’ strategic partnership and addressing critical global challenges through collaborative approaches. This diplomatic engagement reflects the growing importance of India-Italy relations in the broader context of international cooperation and regional stability.
EU-India FTA Negotiations Receive Italian Support
During the PM Modi Meloni phone call, Prime Minister Modi expressed gratitude to his Italian counterpart for Italy’s proactive support in concluding a mutually beneficial India-EU trade agreement. This acknowledgment highlights Italy’s influential role within the European Union and its commitment to facilitating stronger economic ties between India and the European bloc.
The discussion comes at a crucial time as India and the EU are actively working toward finalizing the proposed free trade agreement by the end of 2025. The two sides are currently conducting the 13th round of negotiations in New Delhi this week, marking significant progress in the talks that were relaunched in June 2022 after an eight-year hiatus.
Strategic Partnership Encompasses Multiple Sectors
The PM Modi Meloni phone call included a comprehensive review of bilateral strategic partnership developments across numerous sectors. Both leaders positively assessed progress in areas including investment, defense, security, space exploration, science and technology, education, people-to-people connections, and counter-terrorism cooperation.
This multi-sectoral approach demonstrates the depth and breadth of India-Italy relations, extending far beyond traditional diplomatic and trade considerations. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening this partnership in accordance with the joint strategic action plan for 2025-2029, providing a structured framework for continued collaboration.
Ukraine Conflict Resolution Takes Priority
A significant portion of the PM Modi Meloni phone call addressed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with both leaders expressing shared interest in bringing an early end to the hostilities. Prime Minister Modi specifically reiterated India’s full support for efforts toward peaceful resolution, emphasizing India’s consistent position on the conflict.
The leaders agreed on the necessity for an early and peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict, demonstrating alignment between India and Italy on this critical global issue. This discussion reflects both nations’ commitment to international stability and their roles in promoting diplomatic solutions to complex geopolitical challenges.
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IMEEC Initiative Gains Momentum
The PM Modi Meloni phone call also focused on promoting connectivity through the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) initiative. Both leaders agreed on taking concrete steps to advance this ambitious project, which was initially established on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi in 2023.
Described as a pathbreaking initiative, IMEEC envisages creating vast road, railroad, and shipping networks connecting Saudi Arabia, India, the United States, and Europe. The corridor aims to ensure seamless integration among Asia, the Middle East, and the West, potentially transforming regional trade and connectivity patterns.
FTA Timeline and Economic Implications
The PM Modi Meloni phone call reinforced the commitment to conclude the India-EU FTA negotiations by December 2025. This ambitious timeline reflects both sides’ recognition of the agreement’s potential to significantly boost bilateral trade and investment flows between India and the European Union.
Italy’s strong support for the FTA, as reiterated by Prime Minister Meloni during the conversation, carries substantial weight given Italy’s position as one of the EU’s major economies and its influence in European decision-making processes.
Future Collaboration Initiatives
During the PM Modi Meloni phone call, Prime Minister Meloni also expressed Italy’s support for the AI Impact Summit that India will host in 2026. This endorsement demonstrates Italy’s recognition of India’s growing technological capabilities and leadership in artificial intelligence development.
The discussion of future collaborative initiatives indicates both nations’ forward-looking approach to their partnership, extending beyond immediate concerns to establish frameworks for long-term cooperation in emerging technologies and global governance.
Regional and Global Perspectives
The PM Modi Meloni phone call included extensive exchanges on regional and global issues of mutual interest, reflecting both leaders’ recognition of their countries’ roles in addressing international challenges. This comprehensive dialogue approach strengthens the foundation for continued diplomatic cooperation and coordination on various multilateral platforms.
The conversation reinforces the strategic nature of India-Italy relations, positioning both nations as partners in addressing complex global challenges while advancing their respective national interests through strengthened bilateral cooperation and enhanced international engagement frameworks.
