International
-Gaurav Sharma
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Rome on the final stage of a five-nation tour. During this first bilateral visit to Italy, Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella. Talks are expected to centre on strengthening India-Italy cooperation, including plans linked to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani welcomed Narendra Modi at the airport. Italian Prime Minister Meloni later greeted Narendra Modi in Rome and posted a message on X with a photograph, writing, “Welcome to Rome, my friend!” Meloni also reshared an earlier image of both leaders at the Colosseum.
During his first bilateral visit to Rome, PM Narendra Modi met leaders Giorgia Meloni and Sergio Mattarella to boost India-Italy cooperation, focusing on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029.
Agenda of PM Modi Italy visit and India-Italy cooperation plans
Narendra Modi posted a photograph from Rome on X, writing, “Landed in Rome, Italy. I will be meeting President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and holding discussions with them.” In the same message, Narendra Modi added, “This visit will focus on how to boost India-Italy cooperation, especially focusing on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029 will also be reviewed. I will also be visiting the Headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and strengthening India’s commitment to multilateralism as well as global food security,” outlining his main priorities.
#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets the members of the Indian diaspora and people gathered to welcome him at the hotel he is staying at in Rome, Italy
(Source: ANI/DD) pic.twitter.com/TuqWcLohti
— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2026
The visit takes place as India-Italy cooperation is gaining strong momentum across several fields. Both governments are working on the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029, which covers trade, investment, defence and security, clean energy, innovation, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges. Bilateral trade and investment figures underline this wider engagement between New Delhi and Rome.
| Area | Detail |
|---|---|
| Trade | USD 16.77 billion in 2025 |
| Cumulative FDI | USD 3.66 billion (April 2000–September 2025) |
Cultural aspects of PM Modi Italy visit and India-Italy cooperation
During the stop in Rome, Narendra Modi also met members of the Indian diaspora. Narendra Modi shared emotional moments with the community and received a painting of the ghats of Varanasi. At the hotel, Narendra Modi watched classical and cultural dance performances and instrumental pieces arranged in honour of the visiting leader.
This trip is Narendra Modi’s first dedicated bilateral visit to Italy, following an earlier journey in June 2024 for the G7 Summit. With high-level political meetings, economic discussions, multilateral engagement at the FAO and interaction with the diaspora, the programme reflects the broader depth of India-Italy cooperation at this stage.
