Meloni and Modi outline a vision for collaboration between the two nations through 2029.
The leaders of India and Italy have agreed to deepen their economic and political ties further. During their fifth meeting in as many years, held on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Giorgia Meloni and Narendra Modi announced an action plan for this purpose. The Italy-India Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029 outlines their joint strategy for the coming years. A key focus of this cooperation is science and innovation, including exploring new methods for the extraction and refinement of critical minerals. This effort will involve contributions from academia, industry, and startups in both countries.
As a rising economic power, India has been increasingly active on the international stage, aiming to reduce its reliance on imported raw materials. The subcontinent is holding talks about investments in African and Latin American nations, among other regions (we reported). Partnerships with countries such as the United Kingdom and Italy are being sought. Meanwhile, domestic mining is becoming a priority in Indian policy. For instance, the state-owned mining company Coal India is pursuing lithium extraction. India also plays a modest role in the extraction of rare earth elements, with a mine production of approximately 2,900 tons in 2023, according to data from the US Geological Survey. By comparison, China produced 240,000 tons last year.
The full Action Plan can be found here.
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