Rome, May 20 — Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni used a Hindi phrase, ‘Parishram hi safalta ki kunji hai’ (hard work is the key to success), during a joint press appearance with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to underscore the growing bond between Italy and India.
Meloni described the visit as a defining moment that elevates bilateral relations to a “Special Strategic Partnership.” She said sustained effort and commitment have been central to strengthening ties and highlighted the frequent meetings between the two leaders as instrumental in building trust and accelerating cooperation.
Noting the diplomatic significance of the occasion, Meloni pointed out that this was the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister to Italy in 26 years. She traced the recent deepening of relations: her 2023 trip to New Delhi launched a Strategic Partnership, a 2024 meeting at the G20 in Brazil produced a Strategic Joint Action Plan for 2025–2029, and the Rome visit now upgrades the relationship to its highest level.
The two sides set an ambitious economic goal to raise bilateral trade to 20 billion euros by 2029, up from roughly 14 billion euros today. Meloni said this target is achievable by tapping complementarities in the two economies and the opportunities from the EU–India trade framework.
She outlined a wide-ranging cooperation agenda that includes defence, innovation, artificial intelligence, space, energy transition, advanced manufacturing, and critical minerals. Meloni highlighted initiatives such as InnovIT India and the planned Talent Centre in New Delhi to link startups, universities, research institutes, and industry, saying India’s digital scale and innovation energy complement Italy’s industrial and manufacturing strengths.
Meloni also expressed strong support for the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), calling it a key project to boost connectivity and supply-chain resilience. The leaders announced cultural plans as well: Italy and India will mark an Italy–India Year of Culture and Tourism in 2027 to deepen people-to-people ties.
On global issues, Meloni emphasized shared positions on international stability, maritime security, freedom of navigation, and inclusive development, and reaffirmed cooperation on matters including Ukraine and the Middle East.
Prime Minister Modi arrived in Rome as the final stop of a five-nation European tour. The leaders used the visit to formalize a broad strategic upgrade and to outline concrete steps for expanded political, economic, and cultural engagement between Rome and New Delhi.
(Reporting sourced to ANI.)
