When two civilisations meet, talks go beyond agenda: PM after talks with Meloni

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday described India-Italy ties as a meeting of “two civilisations” where discussions go beyond formal agendas, after holding bilateral talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome.

“When two civilisations meet, then discussions are not limited to an agenda, but the depth of history, a glimpse of the future and the simplicity of friendship can be seen in it,” PM Modi said, while thanking Meloni for the “grand welcome” extended to him and the Indian delegation.

“Rome is known as the ‘Eternal City’ in the world. My Lok Sabha constituency in India, Kashi, is also known similarly,” he added.

During the joint press conference, PM Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also announced that India and Italy have agreed to elevate their relations to a “Special Strategic Partnership” and expand cooperation across trade, investment, defence and emerging technologies following bilateral talks in Rome.

“We deliberated extensively on enhancing India-Italy ties,” PM Modi said during a joint press statement after the meeting.

The two leaders also reviewed the India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029, aimed at providing a long-term roadmap for cooperation across strategic and economic sectors.

Furthermore, PM Meloni described PM Modi’s visit as a “historic day” for India-Italy relations and said bilateral ties were now capable of reaching their “fullest potential”.

“It is an honour and pleasure to greet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his delegation here in Rome,” she said, noting that it was Modi’s first bilateral visit to Italy and the first such visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 26 years.

“Today, with this visit, not only are we bridging this gap but together, we have decided to revitalise our relations,” Meloni said, adding that both countries had worked with “determination” to take ties to the “highest level ever”.

The Italian Prime Minister also highlighted that India and Italy had built a friendship based on “respect and mutual trust”.

PM Modi, who arrived in Rome on Tuesday for the final leg of his five-nation tour, was accorded a ceremonial military welcome ahead of the talks with Meloni.

Shortly after his arrival, the Italian Prime Minister hosted him for dinner and accompanied him on a visit to the Colosseum before the formal bilateral meeting.

Earlier in the day, a video featuring PM Modi, Meloni and melody toffee went viral online, garnering over a million views within six hours. In the light-hearted clip shared during PM Modi’s visit to Italy, the two leaders were seen smiling and laughing as the Prime Minister, dressed in a blue bandhgala suit, handed Meloni a bag of Melody candies.

Sharing the video on X, Meloni wrote, “Thank you for the gift.”

Ahead of today's talks, PM Modi also met Italian President Sergio Mattarella and discussed various aspects of India-Italy ties, including trade, investment and cultural cooperation. The discussions also covered collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence, critical minerals, space and nuclear energy.

India and Italy have seen growing economic engagement in recent years, with bilateral trade reaching 14.25 billion euros in 2025. India’s exports stood at 8.55 billion euros, while Italian exports to India were recorded at 5.70 billion euros, reflecting an increase of 9.42 per cent over 2024.

Both countries have set a target of achieving annual bilateral trade worth 20 billion euros by 2029.

Italy is India’s fourth-largest trading partner in the European Union and has identified India as a priority country under its global trade strategy. The Indian community in Italy, estimated at 1,86,833 as of January 2025, is also the largest Indian diaspora group in the European Union, while more than 5,100 Indian students are currently enrolled in Italian universities.