New Delhi: President of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister) of the Italian Republic, H.E. Ms. Giorgia Meloni, paid an State visit to India from 02-03 March 2023. She was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Antonio Tajani and a high powered business delegation.
This was also be the first bilateral VVIP visit from Italy to India after 5 years; the last Prime Ministerial visit from Italy to India took place in October 2018. PM Meloni was also be the Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker at the 8th Raisina Dialogue, 2023.
PM Meloni was accorded a ceremonial welcomed at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and PM Meloni was held discussions on bilateral, regional and global issues. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar called on PM Meloni. The Italy PM also called on President Smt Droupadi Murmu on 02 March 2023.
India and Italy are celebrating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations this year. The multifaceted bilateral relationship is based on shared cultural values, commitment to foster economic growth, collaboration in the fields of green energy, science & tech, defence and marked by convergence on regional and global issues. The two countries have also been cooperating closely in various multilateral forums. During the visit, a business roundtable was organised on 02 March 2023 co-chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.E. Mr Antonio Tajani and Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal.
Prime Minister Meloni’s visit was expected to further strengthen and deepen the long-standing relationship between India and Italy. Both sides taken stock of the progress on the key outcomes of the November 2020 Summit, strengthen security and defence cooperation, work towards closer economic ties, enhance opportunity for mobility of talent and give strategic guidance to ongoing collaboration in Science & Technology.