20 May,2026 10:38 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni, in Rome, Italy. Pic/X
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a dinner hosted by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome during the final leg of his five-nation tour, as both countries look to further deepen their strategic partnership.
After arriving in Italy on Tuesday night, PM Modi shared pictures from the meeting on social media platform X and said he looked forward to detailed discussions with Meloni on expanding cooperation between the two countries.
"Upon landing in Rome, had the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Meloni over dinner followed by a visit to the iconic Colosseum," PM Modi posted on X.
"We exchanged perspectives on a wide range of subjects. Looking forward to our talks today, where we will continue the conversation on how to boost the India-Italy friendship," he added.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also welcomed Modi warmly upon his arrival in Rome, highlighting the close diplomatic engagement between the two leaders in recent years.
The visit comes amid growing cooperation between India and Italy across sectors such as trade, defence, clean energy and technology. PM Modi is scheduled to hold formal bilateral talks with Meloni on Wednesday at the historic Villa Doria Pamphili.
The two leaders are also expected to adopt a joint declaration aimed at further strengthening the India-Italy strategic partnership.
Apart from his meeting with Meloni, PM Modi is also scheduled to meet Italian President Sergio Mattarella during the visit.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the trip is expected to provide fresh momentum to bilateral ties and deepen India's engagement with Europe.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said PM Modi was received at the airport by Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
"Scripting a new chapter in the India-Italy Strategic Partnership," Jaiswal posted on X after Modi's arrival in Rome.
He added that India and Italy share a "longstanding and multifaceted partnership" and that the visit would help expand cooperation in several important sectors.
According to the MEA, both countries are currently working on implementing the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029, which outlines cooperation in areas including trade, investment, defence, innovation, science and technology, clean energy and people-to-people ties.
The ministry noted that bilateral trade between India and Italy reached USD 16.77 billion in 2025, while cumulative foreign direct investment from Italy into India stood at USD 3.66 billion between April 2000 and September 2025.
Officials said discussions during PM Modi's visit are likely to focus on strengthening economic engagement, boosting investments and enhancing cooperation in emerging sectors such as renewable energy and advanced technologies.
The MEA said PM Modi's Italy visit is also significant in the context of India's broader engagement with Europe, especially following the recently concluded India-European Union Free Trade Agreement negotiations.
India has been expanding strategic and economic ties with several European nations in recent years, with Italy emerging as an important partner in trade, defence manufacturing and energy cooperation.
PM Modi had earlier visited Italy in June 2024 to participate in the G7 Summit, where he also held bilateral discussions with Meloni and other global leaders.
