Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Italy for the final leg of a five-nation tour, received a guard of honour in Rome. Earlier, he was welcomed by Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni. Both leaders will later hold bilateral talks to strengthen ties between the nations. Prime Minister Modi is also expected to visit the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation headquarters. Crucial bilateral talks aim to strengthen the strategic partnership established in 2023. Discussions focus on expanding cooperation in defense, agriculture, space, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. The two nations are exploring joint research and co-manufacturing of defense equipment. A joint strategic action plan signed in 2024 outlines goals through 2039, with an ambitious target to increase bilateral trade to 20 billion euros. Italy remains the fourth-largest trading destination for Indian exports in Europe, with exports growing by nearly twenty percent and remittances increasing by thirty-two percent over the last two years, reflecting growing economic and strategic ties.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he gifted a packet of Melody toffees to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during his Italy visit.
Amid escalating tensions and an unfolding war in West Asia, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to make a first official visit to India. The visit is slated to take place from May 23 to May 26.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a five-nation tour, will be arriving in Italy shortly on the last leg of his tour. The tour, which included visits to the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy, signifies a shift in India's foreign policy towards strengthening technology and supply chain security.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Norway, a joint diplomatic press statement in Oslo saw Norwegian journalist Helle Ling question the Prime Minister on India's human rights record and press freedom.
