As Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni showered fulsome praise on his leadership, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today reiterated that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine could only be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy and that India was ready to contribute to any peace process.

”From the very beginning of the Ukraine conflict, India has made it clear that this dispute can only be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy and India is fully prepared to contribute to any peace process,” he said at a joint press interaction with his Italian counterpart after wide-ranging talks between the two leaders.

The PM said all countries have been affected by the crisis of food, fuel, and fertilizers arising out of the Covid pandemic and the Ukraine conflict.

”These have had a particularly negative impact on developing countries. We have expressed our shared concern about this and have emphasized joint efforts to solve these problems. We are also giving priority to this subject during India’s G20 presidency,” he added.

In her remarks, Meloni described PM Modi as the most loved of all global leaders as the two countries announced the establishment of a ‘startup bridge’ between them.

”PM (Modi) is the most loved one of all (leaders) around the world. This is really proven that he has been a major leader and congratulations on that,” the Italian leader said as Modi smiled.

She also hoped that India, having the G20 presidency, could play a central role in facilitating a negotiating process for the cessation of hostilities in Ukraine. ”Keeping the multilateral community together is important and we hope the Indian presidency can do it even more,” she added.

Meloni told PM Modi that India could rely on Italy and its cooperation for the G20 summit later this year. ”I believe there is a lot we can do together,” she added.

Modi welcomed Italy’s active participation in the Indo-Pacific region. It was a matter of happiness that Italy has decided to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, the PM said.

Modi noted that India and Italy were walking shoulder-to-shoulder in the fight against terrorism and separatism. In the defence manufacturing sector in India, opportunities for co-production & co-development were arising which could be beneficial for both countries, Modi said, adding the two countries have decided to conduct regular joint exercises and training courses.

Pointing out that India and Italy were celebrating the 75th anniversary of their bilateral relationship this year, Modi said India would further strengthen its relationship with Italy in the fields of renewable energy, hydrogen, IT, telecom, semiconductors and space.

The Italian PM is the chief guest and the keynote speaker at the eighth Raisina Dialogue.