Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reiterated Italy’s ‘strong’ support for the early conclusion of a ‘mutually beneficial’ India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in a telephonic conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a press release on Wednesday.

The two leaders reviewed and assessed developments in the bilateral strategic partnership across various sectors, including investment, defence, security, space, science and technology, education, people-to-people ties, and counterterrorism. Both leaders also reaffirmed their commitment towards further deepening the partnership, which is in line with the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–29.

PM Meloni also reiterated her nation’s strong support for the success of the AI Impact Summit, which will be hosted by India in 2026. The two leaders also agreed on taking steps to promote connectivity under the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEEC) initiative.

The two prime ministers also exchanged views on regional and global issues that are of mutual interest to both nations. They agreed on the exigency of an early and peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s complete support for efforts in a peaceful resolution between the two nations.

Last month, Piyush Goyal, the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, said that India is in advanced talks with the EU. “The Commerce Secretary is headed for deliberations. An EU delegation is coming to India next week. Their minister will come after that,” he had revealed at the Bharat Buildcon event.

Prime Minister Modi, on a visit to Cyprus—a member of the European Union—in June, had said at the India-Cyprus CEO Forum in Limassol that India and the EU aim to finalise a free trade agreement by the end of the year.

In June, Goyal visited Italy, and in a joint press conference with Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani, expressed India’s hope to collaborate closely with Europe, particularly Italy, to align India and Italy’s technical prowess.

Speaking about the Italy-India strategic economic partnership, Minister Goyal had conveyed gratitude for Tajani’s mention of the IMEEC. He had emphasised IMEEC’s significant potential to connect people, continents, and businesses, opening vast opportunities in its creation and fostering closer ties among participating nations.