PM Modi arrives in Rome for talks with Italian PM Meloni

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi upon his arrival in Rome for the final leg of his five-nation tour.

Sharing a picture with PM Modi on X, Meloni wrote, "Welcome to Rome, my friend!"

The visit marks a key diplomatic engagement as India and Italy look to reinforce bilateral ties and elevate their relationship to a special strategic partnership, an Italian government official said.

Like several European nations, Italy has been seeking deeper engagement with India amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.

The European Union earlier this year finalised a long-pending trade agreement with India, aimed in part at reducing dependence on the United States, Reuters reported.

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PM Modi's visit is his first bilateral trip to Italy, although he had earlier travelled to the country for the G7 summit in 2024 and the G20 meeting three years ago.

During his stay, he is scheduled to meet Meloni on Wednesday at the historic 17th-century Villa Doria Pamphili.

In a post on X after landing in Rome, PM Modi said discussions would focus on strengthening India-Italy cooperation, particularly in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

IMEC, launched through a 2023 memorandum involving partners including the European Union and the United States, aims to develop integrated trade routes connecting India with the Arabian Gulf and Europe.

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Both leaders are expected to adopt a joint declaration to deepen the strategic partnership, including annual summit-level meetings and a target of reaching 20 billion euros ($23.2 billion) in bilateral trade by 2029, the official said.

Bilateral trade between the two countries stood at over 14 billion euros in 2023, according to the Italian embassy in New Delhi.

India and Italy, which upgraded their ties to a strategic partnership in 2023, have expanded cooperation across sectors including artificial intelligence, scientific research, trade, and defence.

During the visit, PM Modi and Meloni will also attend a working lunch with senior executives from leading Indian and Italian industrial groups to explore opportunities in investment, technology, and manufacturing.

A series of agreements are expected to be signed covering maritime transport, agriculture, higher education, critical minerals, museum cooperation, and efforts to combat economic and financial crime, the official added.

The two leaders will also exchange views on key global issues, including the Middle East conflict, the Ukraine war and security in the Indo-Pacific region.

PM Modi also said he is scheduled to meet Italian President Sergio Mattarella and visit the headquarters of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

PM Modi received a warm reception from the Indian diaspora upon his arrival in Rome. He interacted with community members and witnessed cultural performances at his hotel.

A painting of the ghats of Varanasi, created by an Italian artist inspired by Indian culture, was also presented to the Prime Minister, symbolising cultural ties between the two countries.

PM Modi's visit comes amid growing momentum in India-Italy relations, with both sides advancing the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029 covering trade, defence, energy, innovation and people-to-people exchanges.

Earlier in his tour, PM Modi visited Norway, following stops in Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates.