Supporting India for leadership of the Global South, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that Delhi, as the current G-20 presidency holder, could play a key role in facilitating negotiations for peace between Russia and Ukraine. Meloni, who met with Prime Minister Modi, expressed Italy’s willingness to assist India in representing the countries of the Global South, comprised of developing and less-developed nations.
In response, Modi affirmed India’s readiness to contribute to the peace process for resolving the conflict in Ukraine through dialogue and diplomacy. He emphasized the adverse impact of the conflict on developing countries, particularly in terms of food, fertilizers, and fuel shortages, and stressed the need for joint efforts to address these issues.
Modi and Meloni agreed to elevate the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership, with a focus on defense collaboration. They identified defense manufacturing as a potential area for cooperation, highlighting opportunities for co-production and co-development.
Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra highlighted the potential for stronger industrial cooperation, particularly in manufacturing, co-production, co-design, and co-innovation. The two countries also agreed to conduct joint military exercises and training courses.
India and Italy discussed expanding cooperation in space-related activities, such as remote sensing, satellite communication, lunar exploration, and gravitational wave detection. They also expressed support for each other in combating terrorism and separatism.
To enhance economic ties, both countries announced the establishment of a “Startup Bridge” and discussed cooperation in renewable energy, green hydrogen, IT, semiconductors, telecom, and space sectors. They signed agreements on migration and mobility, as well as partnerships between educational institutions in India and Italy.
Meloni emphasized her commitment to boosting economic relations between the two countries during her first bilateral visit to the region. She was welcomed with a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan and received by Minister of State for Health Bharati Pawar at the airport.
