Sun Nov 23 20:11:31 UTC 2025: Headline: India and Italy Unite Against Terrorism, Strengthen Bilateral Ties
Johannesburg – Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Sunday, November 23, 2025, during the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, to announce a joint initiative focused on combating the financing of terrorism. The two leaders discussed a range of issues, including trade, defence, security, innovation, AI and education.
The “India-Italy Joint Initiative to Counter Financing of Terrorism” underscores both nations’ commitment to fighting terrorism on a global scale. Prime Minister Modi emphasized the necessity and timeliness of the effort, stating it would “strengthen humanity’s fight against terrorism and its support networks.”
In addition to the anti-terrorism initiative, the leaders discussed expanding bilateral cooperation in areas like trade, investment, defence, innovation, AI, space, and education.
Prime Minister Meloni expressed Italy’s solidarity with India following the terror incident in Delhi and reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to working together to combat the scourge of terrorism.
Both leaders reviewed the progress made under the bilateral Strategic Partnership, with satisfaction over the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29, designed to benefit both economies. They also hailed the recent Business Fora held in New Delhi and Brescia. Italy is strongly supportive of the conclusion of a mutually beneficial India-EU Free Trade Agreement and for the success of the AI Impact Summit to be hosted by India in 2026.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that the initiative aims to deepen cooperation in countering terrorism, including collaboration in global forums like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF).
India-Italy trade is estimated at approximately $15 billion for 2023-2024, with Italian Foreign Direct Investments into India totaling about $4 billion since 2000. The leaders expressed their shared values of democracy, the rule of law and sustainable development.
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