Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni, where the two leaders discussed key global and bilateral issues, including progress on the EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Both leaders emphasized the importance of advancing the long-pending EU-India FTA, describing it as a crucial step in strengthening economic cooperation and unlocking opportunities for businesses on both sides. Modi reiterated India’s commitment to working with the European Union and Italy to build a balanced and forward-looking agreement that supports sustainable growth and addresses modern trade challenges.
On Ukraine, the two leaders exchanged views on the current situation and its wider geopolitical impact. Modi reiterated India’s position that dialogue and diplomacy are the only paths to peace and emphasized the importance of de-escalation to avoid further humanitarian crises. Meloni welcomed India’s engagement on global peace initiatives and stressed the need for collective efforts to bring stability to the region.
The conversation also touched on cooperation in clean energy, defense, and technology, with both sides reaffirming their intention to deepen the Strategic Partnership between India and Italy.
Analysts say the discussion highlights India’s growing role in shaping global economic and political agendas, as well as Italy’s interest in strengthening its bilateral ties with New Delhi within the broader EU framework.