Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced India-Italy relationship to Special Strategic Partnership and stated that both the countries are upgrading
their relationship for a practical and futuristic structure to our partnership. Speaking during the joint press statement with Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, PM Modi said, "I am happy to announce that we are upgrading India-Italy relationship to Special Strategic Partnership." "India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029 provides a practical and futuristic structure to our partnership. We are moving forward on this in a time-bound manner. Trade between our countries is moving towards the 20 billion euros target. Over 400 Italian companies in India are contributing to India's growth story." Prime Minister Modi also expressed his gratitude to his Italian counterpart Meloni for the grand welcome extended to him and his delegation in Rome. Drawing parallels between Rome and his constituency Varanasi, PM Modi said, "Rome is known as the Eternal City and my constituency Varanasi is also considered a timeless cultural city. When two cultures meet such warmth and connection is natural."
Meloni On India-Italy Relationship
Addressing the joint press statement, Italian PM Giorgia Meloni said, "It is an honour to greet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his delegation here in Rome on a day on which I truly believe is a historic day for the relations between our two nations.""My friend, Narendra Modi has been leading India since 2014. But today, this is his first bilateral mission to Italy. The last visit of an Indian PM on a bilateral mission prior to this, dates back to 2000 - 26 years ago. Today, with this visit, not only are we bridging this gap but together, we have decided to revitalise our relations. This visit is the apex of a path that we have built together with determination, to strengthen the ties between ourselves all the way up to the highest level ever," she added.
