India, Italy upgrade ties to 'special strategic partnership'

India and Italy upgraded their ties to a special strategic partnership after talks between PM Narendra Modi and PM Giorgia Meloni. Both sides agreed to expand trade to €20 billion (around ₹2.24 lakh crore) by 2029 and strengthen defence cooperation. They also expressed concern over the West Asia situation and called for dialogue, and free navigation through Strait of Hormuz.