Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday, with both leaders reaffirming their joint commitment to further deepen the India-Italy Strategic Partnership. Meloni also expressed support for the success of the AI Impact Summit to be hosted by India in 2026.
PM Modi thanked Meloni for Italy’s support in concluding the trade agreement between India and the European Union (EU) and for promoting connectivity through the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEEC) initiative. Both leaders exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the need for an early and peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine.
“Had an excellent conversation with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. We reaffirmed our joint commitment to deepen India-Italy Strategic Partnership, and shared interest in bringing an early end to the conflict in Ukraine. Thanked PM Meloni for Italy’s proactive support for concluding a mutually beneficial India-EU trade agreement and promoting connectivity through the IMEEEC initiative,” PM Modi posted on X after the call.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) stated that both leaders positively reviewed developments in bilateral strategic cooperation across investment, defence, security, space, science and technology, education, people-to-people ties, and counter-terrorism. They reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the partnership in line with the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29.
PM Modi had met Meloni on the sidelines of the 51st G7 Summit in Canada’s Kananaskis in June, where both leaders had pledged to strengthen India-Italy ties. Meloni had shared a picture with PM Modi on X, captioned, “Italy and India, bound by a great friendship.” A video showed the two leaders greeting each other with a handshake and engaging in a brief conversation during the summit.
Their camaraderie has also gained attention on social media, with the hashtag #Melodi highlighting their interactions. Meloni had strongly condemned the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, and reiterated Italy’s full support to India in combating terrorism.
-IANS
