New Delhi, May 21 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni elevated India-Italy relations to a "Special Strategic Partnership" during the Prime Minister's official visit to Italy, marking a major expansion of bilateral cooperation across defence, trade, technology, education, culture, maritime affairs, agriculture and research.

The elevation of ties is aimed at deepening cooperation in trade, defence, clean energy, innovation and emerging technologies while also strengthening people-to-people ties, educational exchanges, cultural partnerships and mobility arrangements between the two countries.

A major outcome of the visit was the unveiling of the India-Italy Defence Industrial Roadmap, which seeks to en...