PM Modi attends dinner hosted by Giorgia Meloni, says 'exchanged perspectives on wide range of subjects'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a dinner hosted by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome during the final leg of his fivenation tour as both countries look to further deepen their strategic partnershipAfter 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 countriesldquoUpon landing in Rome had the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Meloni over dinner followed by a visit to the iconic Colosseumrdquo PM Modi posted on XldquoWe 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 IndiaItaly friendshiprdquo he addedGiorgia Meloni welcomes PM Modi to RomeItalian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also welcomed Modi warmly upon his arrival in Rome highlighting the close diplomatic engagement between the two leaders in recent yearsPosting on X Meloni wrote ldquoWelcome to Rome my friendrdquoThe 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 PamphiliThe two leaders are also expected to adopt a joint declaration aimed at further strengthening the IndiaItaly strategic partnershipPM Modi to meet Italian President Sergio MattarellaApart from his meeting with Meloni PM Modi is also scheduled to meet Italian President Sergio Mattarella during the visitThe Ministry of External Affairs MEA said the trip is expected to provide fresh momentum to bilateral ties and deepen Indiarsquos engagement with EuropeMEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said PM Modi was received at the airport by Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio TajanildquoScripting a new chapter in the IndiaItaly Strategic Partnershiprdquo Jaiswal posted on X after Modirsquos arrival in RomeHe added that India and Italy share a ldquolongstanding and multifaceted partnershiprdquo and that the visit would help expand cooperation in several important sectorsFocus on trade defence and clean energy cooperationAccording to the MEA both countries are currently working on implementing the Joint Strategic Action Plan 20252029 which outlines cooperation in areas including trade investment defence innovation science and technology clean energy and peopletopeople tiesThe ministry noted that bilateral trade between India and Italy reached USD 1677 billion in 2025 while cumulative foreign direct investment from Italy into India stood at USD 366 billion between April 2000 and September 2025Officials said discussions during PM Modirsquos visit are likely to focus on strengthening economic engagement boosting investments and enhancing cooperation in emerging sectors such as renewable energy and advanced technologiesVisit seen as part of Indiarsquos broader Europe outreachThe MEA said PM Modirsquos Italy visit is also significant in the context of Indiarsquos broader engagement with Europe especially following the recently concluded IndiaEuropean Union Free Trade Agreement negotiationsIndia 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 cooperationPM 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