During a bilateral gathering in New Delhi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni shared remarks at a joint meeting press conference. The dialogue highlighted a clear willingness to collaborate on defense projects, with both nations agreeing to pursue joint development and production of defense products on Indian soil under the Make in India initiative. This marks a deliberate step toward deeper industrial partnerships and technology transfer in strategic sectors, signaling a shared interest in strengthening regional security, resilience, and supply chain sovereignty for critical defense assets.
Speaking to the press, Modi underscored that defense cooperation constitutes a new and important chapter in India-Italy relations. He noted that opportunities are being created for joint production and development of defense products within India, a move anticipated to benefit both countries by boosting local manufacturing capabilities, accelerating technology exchanges, and expanding skilled employment. The emphasis on co-creation aligns with broader efforts to diversify supply chains and promote indigenous capabilities in high-tech defense domains, while maintaining strict adherence to international norms and export controls.
Modi also outlined plans for ongoing military collaboration, including regular joint exercises and training programs designed to enhance interoperability between the armed forces of India and Italy. These activities aim to deepen professional ties, share best practices in defense management, and ensure that personnel from both sides operate with a high degree of coordination during peacekeeping missions, disaster response, and regional security operations.
Concurrently, Meloni participated in the international political science conference Raisin’s Dialogue hosted in New Delhi. The city also welcomed a parallel gathering of foreign ministers from G20 member countries, underscoring New Delhi’s role as a hub for strategic dialogues and multilateral diplomacy. The discussions highlighted common priorities on global governance, regional stability, and economic resilience in a rapidly changing world.
The broader sentiment around these engagements reflects a sustained push toward expanding strategic partnerships beyond traditional allies. Meloni’s presence in India serves to reinforce a forward-looking agenda that blends diplomatic dialogue with practical cooperation in technology, defense, and security coordination. Both leaders signaled a commitment to explore practical steps that translate diplomatic warmth into tangible outcomes for their respective nations and for shared regional interests.
In related developments, Modi alluded to future initiatives on arms production within India, aligning with the country’s ongoing objective to strengthen domestic capacity in critical sectors. This approach is designed to reduce dependency on external suppliers, foster innovation, and create a more resilient defense industrial base that can respond to evolving security challenges across the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
On March 1st, India formally accepted the third batch of the S-400 Triumph air defense system from Russia, a milestone that reflects a long-standing procurement relationship and a strategic commitment to enhancing air defense capabilities. The integration of these systems is intended to bolster India’s early warning and surface-to-air defenses in line with national security priorities and regional stability considerations. The ongoing deployment and operation of this system are monitored to ensure compliance with international agreements and to maintain transparent communication with allied partners about interoperability and readiness.