PM Modi’s Italy visit featured a high-profile interaction with Giorgia Meloni, diaspora outreach in Rome and renewed focus on trade, defence and strategic cooperation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni during an informal meeting and visit to the Colosseum in Rome on Tuesday. | X/@narendramodi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an informal meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome soon after arriving in Italy on Tuesday, with the two leaders sharing dinner and later visiting the historic Colosseum together ahead of formal bilateral talks.
The interaction comes at a time when New Delhi and Rome are looking to deepen cooperation across trade, defence, technology, energy and strategic affairs under the India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029. PM Modi’s Italy stop marks the final leg of his five-nation diplomatic tour.
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Sharing pictures from the evening on X, PM Modi said he and Meloni exchanged views on “a wide range of subjects” during their interaction.
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“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 India-Italy friendship,” he posted.
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
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also welcomed PM Modi with a social media post, writing, “Welcome to Rome, my friend!”
Welcome to Rome, my friend! pic.twitter.com/mUjFL4HIqY
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) May 19, 2026
The two leaders were also seen together at the Colosseum, where they spent time in conversation before Wednesday’s official engagements.
#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, visited the iconic Colosseum in Rome, Italy.
(Source: ANI/DD News) pic.twitter.com/DklTlGmHSR
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2026
Earlier, Prime Minister Modi received an enthusiastic reception from members of the Indian diaspora after reaching Rome. Cultural performances were organised at his hotel, where he also interacted with members of the community.
The Prime Minister signed an autograph for a child who presented him with a portrait during the interaction.
Among those who met him was Svamini Shuddhananda Ghiri, who said she had previously met PM Modi in 2021 and credited him for supporting their mission.
“I am very happy, and this is the second time we have met him. We met him in 2021 and he also continued to sustain and to foster our mission,” she told ANI.
She further said that the Sanatana Dharma Samgha had been recognised as an official religion in Italy by the Italian Parliament.
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
India and Italy have significantly expanded bilateral cooperation in recent years, particularly in areas such as investment, defence, clean energy, innovation and technology.
According to official figures, bilateral trade between the two countries reached USD 16.77 billion in 2025, while cumulative foreign direct investment from Italy into India stood at USD 3.66 billion between April 2000 and September 2025.
Before arriving in Rome, PM Modi visited Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates as part of his multi-nation outreach tour.
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