India and Italy are poised for a phase of rapid expansion in their bilateral relationship, Italian President Sergio Mattarella said while extending Republic Day greetings to President Droupadi Murmu, underlining shared democratic values and converging strategic interests between the two nations.

In a formal letter marking India’s Republic Day, President Mattarella described the India–Italy partnership as one that is “set on a path of rapid expansion” and expected to deepen further to the mutual benefit of both countries. He emphasised that New Delhi and Rome are bound by common principles such as democracy, respect for the rule of law, and commitment to a rules-based international order.

“On the occasion of the Republic Day, I would like to extend to you, Madam President, my warmest wishes for a prosperous future for the Republic of India,” Mattarella wrote. “Relations between India and Italy are destined to deepen further to our mutual benefit.”

The Italian President highlighted that bilateral ties are gaining strength through the implementation of the India–Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan, which is steadily opening new avenues of cooperation across multiple sectors. These include trade and investment, scientific and technological collaboration, and expanding people-to-people and civil society exchanges.

“The bilateral partnership, also thanks to the implementation of the Joint Strategic Action Plan, is enriched every day by new opportunities for cooperation—whether through joint projects between our respective economic operators, scientific collaborations, or increasingly intense and fruitful contacts between our civil societies,” Mattarella noted.

He further stressed that India and Italy share converging interests in safeguarding global peace and stability, particularly along the Indo-Mediterranean arc. Both nations, he said, are committed to the peaceful pursuit of security and stability and to addressing global challenges through effective multilateralism.

Calling for deeper engagement, Mattarella expressed hope that synergies between the two countries would continue to strengthen across all sectors of the bilateral agenda, as well as within the broader framework of India–European Union relations. He observed that closer India–EU cooperation, including new economic and trade agreements, would significantly benefit from strong India–Italy ties.

“Building on these foundations, I hope that synergies between our countries—drawing impetus from frequent exchanges of visits at the highest institutional and political levels—may be strengthened in every sector of the bilateral agenda,” he wrote, adding that India–EU relations stand to gain from enhanced cooperation.

India and Italy elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership in 2023 during the visit of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to New Delhi. That milestone laid the groundwork for a long-term roadmap, now being operationalised through the Italy–India Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029. The plan focuses on key areas such as trade, investment, research and innovation, defence, space cooperation, connectivity, counter-terrorism, education, and people-to-people ties.

The momentum in ties was further reinforced last month when Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. During the meeting, PM Modi described the India–Italy relationship as one that “continues to get stronger,” noting that deepening engagement benefits not only both countries but also the global community.

In a post on X, PM Modi said he appreciated the proactive steps being taken by both sides to implement the Joint Strategic Action Plan across strategic and economic sectors, reaffirming India’s commitment to advancing the partnership.

With high-level political engagement, shared democratic values, and expanding economic and strategic cooperation, India–Italy relations are increasingly seen as a key pillar of India’s engagement with Europe and a stabilising force in the Indo-Mediterranean region.