External Affairs Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said that extensive deliberations were held on Thursday between India and Italy to further strengthen their bilateral, regional and global cooperation. <br />''<br />''Briefing the media about the decision taken during the delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni, Mr. Kwatra said, both countries have decided to turn their relationship into a strategic partnership.<br />''<br />''On the defence cooperation, Mr. Kwatra said, discussions were held between two sides in the field of manufacturing, co-production, co-design and co-innovation.<br />''<br />'' He said, joint military exercises were to be expanded between the armed forces of the two countries. He said, both countries also discussed cooperation in the field of space, cyber and sea. He said, both countries also stressed the need for joint exercises in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. He said, Italian PM Giorgia Meloni appreciated the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on matters of regional and global importance, particularly about the concerns, interests and priorities of the global south. <br />