Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Johannesburg on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, where both leaders explored ways to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, technology, AI, space, defence and security. They also formally adopted the India-Italy Joint Initiative to Counter Financing of Terrorism, reinforcing a shared commitment to combating global terror networks. Modi later noted that the India-Italy Strategic Partnership is gaining strong momentum, while both sides reviewed progress under the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–29. Meloni also expressed support for the AI Summit India will host in 2026. Trade between the two countries currently stands at about 15 billion dollars, with Italy’s FDI inflow into India reaching around 4 billion dollars since 2000.Expanding Cooperation With Japan
Modi also met Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during the summit. Their discussion focused on boosting innovation partnerships, strengthening defence ties and improving talent mobility between the two countries. Modi said both sides are looking to expand trade further and emphasised that the India-Japan partnership plays a key role in shaping a better global future. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the leaders reaffirmed the significance of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, built on shared values and a commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. They also reviewed collaboration in strategic sectors and exchanged views on regional and global developments.
