Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to New Delhi on Thursday after concluding his five-nation diplomatic tour covering the United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy, with the final leg of the visit resulting in a major upgrade in India-Italy bilateral relations.
During his visit to Rome, PM Modi held extensive talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and announced the elevation of India-Italy ties to a “Special Strategic Partnership”, signalling deeper cooperation between the two nations across multiple sectors.
In a post shared after the conclusion of the Italy visit, PM Modi said the discussions with Meloni covered a broad range of strategic and economic issues and would further strengthen bilateral cooperation in the coming years.
India-Italy Partnership Gets Major Boost
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the two leaders discussed key regional and global developments, including the ongoing West Asia crisis and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, while also focusing on strengthening economic and strategic collaboration.
The upgraded partnership is expected to deepen cooperation in:
- Trade and investment
- Defence and security
- Science and technology
- Research and innovation
- Energy and space
- Artificial intelligence
- Education and culture
- Mobility and people-to-people ties
Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Sibi George, said both countries agreed to accelerate collaboration in emerging technologies and critical sectors. Several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were also signed during the visit covering defence, connectivity, agriculture, traditional medicine, education and critical technologies.
India and Italy have also set an ambitious target of increasing bilateral trade to Euro 20 billion by 2029, aided by the recently concluded India-European Union Free Trade Agreement negotiations.
‘Melody Moment’ Goes Viral
One of the lighter moments from the visit that gained attention online was the widely discussed “Melody moment,” when PM Modi gifted a packet of Melody toffees to Giorgia Meloni. The interaction quickly went viral on social media, drawing reactions from users in both countries.
PM Modi also visited iconic locations in Rome and interacted with members of the Indian diaspora during the Italy leg of the tour.
Five-Nation Outreach Focused On Strategic Cooperation
Before Italy, PM Modi visited the UAE, the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway as part of India’s broader diplomatic outreach aimed at strengthening strategic partnerships, boosting trade and enhancing cooperation in technology, clean energy, defence and innovation.
His meetings with European leaders particularly focused on resilient supply chains, energy security, green transition initiatives, emerging technologies and investment partnerships.
PM Modi To Chair Council Of Ministers Meeting
Following his return to India, PM Modi is scheduled to chair a key meeting of the Council of Ministers at Sewa Teerth in New Delhi on Thursday evening.
Sources said the meeting is expected to review the government’s performance midway through its term and discuss major economic and geopolitical challenges, including rising global fuel prices, energy security concerns and the impact of the ongoing conflict in West Asia and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz.
