Rome: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Italy on May 19 for the final leg of his five-nation diplomatic tour, marking another significant step in India’s expanding engagement with Europe. The Prime Minister was received at the airport in Rome by Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani. Soon after his arrival, PM Modi shared details of his visit and highlighted the importance of the India-Italy partnership. In a post on X, he said, “Landed in Rome, Italy. I will be meeting President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and holding discussions with them.” He added that the visit would focus on strengthening India-Italy cooperation, particularly through the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), while also reviewing the Joint Strategic Action Plan for 2025–2029.
Sono atterrato a Roma, in Italia. Incontrerò il Presidente Sergio Mattarella e il Primo Ministro Giorgia Meloni e avrò dei colloqui con loro. Questa visita si concentrerà su come rafforzare la cooperazione tra India e Italia, con particolare attenzione al Corridoio Economico… pic.twitter.com/huZgq6lSJ6
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 19, 2026
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni extended a warm welcome to PM Modi and posted a selfie with him at the iconic Colosseum. Sharing the picture on X, Meloni wrote, “Welcome to Rome, my friend!” The gesture once again reflected the growing warmth and political comfort between the two leaders, who have frequently interacted on the sidelines of major international summits in recent years.
PM Modi and Prime Minister Meloni met over dinner ahead of their formal bilateral talks scheduled at the historic Villa Doria Pamphili in Rome. The meeting provided an opportunity for both leaders to exchange views on a broad range of regional and global developments. Sharing details of the interaction, PM Modi posted on X, “Had the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Meloni over dinner followed by a visit to the iconic Colosseum. We exchanged perspectives on a wide range of subjects.”
I am very grateful to the Indian community in Italy for the warm welcome in Rome last evening.
Their deep affection for India and commitment towards strengthening India-Italy ties are truly commendable. The Indian diaspora continues to make our nation proud across the world. pic.twitter.com/YK72UPrVzZ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 20, 2026
Focus on IMEC and Strategic Roadmap
The bilateral discussions between India and Italy are expected to focus heavily on economic cooperation, connectivity initiatives and strategic coordination. Central to the talks is the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), a major connectivity project aimed at linking India with Europe through the Middle East via rail, shipping and digital infrastructure networks. The two countries are also expected to review the Joint Strategic Action Plan for 2025–2029, which is designed to deepen cooperation across sectors including trade, technology, defence, clean energy and innovation. Reports said India and Italy are working to institutionalise their growing partnership through mechanisms such as annual heads-of-government summits.
The strategic partnership has gained momentum in recent years, with both nations seeking stronger collaboration in areas ranging from manufacturing and green technology to maritime cooperation and digital connectivity. According to reports, India and Italy are also aiming to raise bilateral trade to €20 billion by 2029, reflecting the growing economic ambitions of both governments. Ahead of the formal bilateral talks, PM Modi reiterated his optimism about expanding ties with Italy. In another post on X, he said, “Looking forward to our talks today, where we will continue the conversation on how to boost the India-Italy friendship.”
MEA says visit will open ‘New Chapter’
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the Prime Minister’s visit as an important moment in India-Italy relations. He said the visit would open a “new chapter” in the India-Italy Strategic Partnership and noted that PM Modi received a warm welcome upon arrival in Rome.
Jaiswal stated that India and Italy share a longstanding and multifaceted relationship, adding that the current visit is expected to inject fresh momentum into bilateral ties. The emphasis on connectivity, trade expansion and strategic coordination underlines the growing importance both countries attach to the partnership amid changing global geopolitical and economic realities.
Upon landing in Rome, had the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Meloni over dinner followed by a visit to the iconic Colosseum. 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… pic.twitter.com/df0bDYKCdU
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 20, 2026
Italy marks the final stop of PM Modi’s five-nation diplomatic tour, which also included visits to the UAE, the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway. During the tour, the Prime Minister held high-level discussions with several world leaders aimed at strengthening India’s global partnerships across economic, technological and strategic sectors.
Before arriving in Rome, PM Modi participated in the 3rd India-Nordic Summit, where India signed a series of important agreements related to climate action, renewable energy, maritime cooperation, green technology and digital development. The tour as a whole reflected India’s increasing diplomatic outreach and efforts to build stronger strategic partnerships across Europe and beyond.
