Kumar Bahukhandi
Prime Minister Modi and Giorgia Meloni met in Rome. (Photo: X/@GiorgiaMeloni)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Italy is seen as a pivotal moment set to give a new direction to the relations between the two nations. Key issues such as trade, defense, technology, and global cooperation are on the agenda for discussion. This visit is expected to strengthen India’s strategic presence in Europe and provide fresh momentum to economic partnerships.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Italy on Tuesday May 19, 2026 evening (IST) , marking the final and most significant leg of his extensive five-nation European tour. Undertaken at the special invitation of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, this visit marks PM Modi’s first official bilateral tour to Italy.
Welcoming PM Modi, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni posted a new and delightful selfie with him on her official social media handle. In the caption accompanying the photo, Meloni wrote, “Welcome to Rome, my friend!” The image subsequently went viral across the internet.
This is not the first instance where a photograph or selfie featuring PM Modi and Giorgia Meloni has gone viral online. Previously, during the COP28 summit held in Dubai in 2023, Meloni’s “Good friends at COP28” selfie—and later, during the G7 summit held in Apulia, Italy, in 2024, the video captioned “Hello from Team Melodi”—garnered global headlines.
Upon his arrival at the hotel in Italy, PM Modi received a warm welcome from members of the Indian diaspora. Earlier, the Prime Minister was presented with a painting depicting the ghats of Varanasi.
The PM’s Visit: Significant in Many Respects
Considered highly significant from both strategic and diplomatic perspectives, this visit will see PM Modi meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella, holding comprehensive bilateral talks with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and interacting with leading industrialists (CEOs) from both nations. Additionally, reiterating India’s commitment to global food security, he will also visit the headquarters of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
According to a senior official from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), this will mark the eighth meeting between the two Prime Ministers since 2023—a testament to the strengthening ties between India and Italy. Meloni’s visit to India in March 2023, followed by her participation in the G20 Summit, laid a strong foundation for this friendship. Through this visit, the two leaders will now review the progress achieved under the ‘Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29’ and finalize a roadmap for cooperation in defense, countering terror financing, and exploring new sectors.
Trade Worth ₹1.3 Lakh Crore; Now, a Major Target Set for 2029
Italy has currently emerged as India’s fourth-largest trading partner within the European Union (EU). In 2025, bilateral trade between the two nations reached 14.25 billion Euros (approximately ₹1.3 lakh crore). The two countries have now set a highly ambitious target to increase this figure to 20 billion Euros by 2029.
While Italian companies have invested over $3.66 billion in India, Indian companies have also gained increased confidence in the European market following Tata Motors’ acquisition of Italy’s Iveco Group.
Defense, AI, and a Community of 2.5 Lakh Indians
Defense and Security: Both nations are now exploring opportunities for the co-development and co-production of military equipment. Italy’s Defense Minister, Guido Crosetto, also recently visited India. Cutting-edge Technology: Under the ‘Cooperation Programme 2025–27,’ several joint projects in the fields of Quantum Technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Green Hydrogen, and Clean Energy are set to be finalized.
Indian Community: Approximately 187,000 to 250,000 Indians reside in Italy, constituting the largest Indian diaspora group within the European Union. Through the ‘Migration and Mobility Agreement,’ pathways are being further streamlined for citizens and students (currently numbering over 5,100) from both nations.
Furthermore, Italy is playing an active role—including by appointing special envoys—within the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the India-led Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC); consequently, this visit is poised to prove a game-changer in enhancing mutual synergy regarding global challenges.
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