Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Rome on 19 May 2026 to begin the concluding leg of his five-nation diplomatic tour that earlier covered the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway. The Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani received the Prime Minister at Rome airport, signalling the strategic importance both governments attached to the visit. Modi will hold bilateral talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Villa Pamphili and call on Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinal Palace. The two governments intend to formally upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Special Strategic Partnership, reflecting deeper convergence on geo-economic, defence and technology priorities. The leaders will review progress under the India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029, which structures cooperation across trade, investment, defence and security, clean energy, science and technology, innovation and people-to-people exchanges. Bilateral trade between India and Italy stood at USD 16.77 billion in calendar year 2025, while cumulative Italian foreign direct investment in India touched USD 3.66 billion between April 2000 and September 2025. Agreements expected on 19 May 2026 cover maritime transport, agriculture, higher education, critical minerals, museum-to-museum cooperation and joint action against economic and financial crime. Both sides will also focus on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor or IMEC, in which Italy is a founding signatory. Prime Minister Modi will additionally visit the headquarters of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation in Rome before returning to New Delhi on 20 May 2026, underlining Indian commitment to multilateralism and global food security.