During his bilateral meeting with his Italian counterpart Georgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Apulia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a wide-ranging discussion on defence cooperation, cultural ties and green energy.
While PM Meloni congratulated PM for his third consecutive term as the Prime Minister, the latter thanked her for the invitation to participate in G7 Outreach Summit and also conveyed his appreciation for its successful conclusion. With far-right parties having made significant gains in the European Union parliamentary elections, Meloni’s Fratelli d’Italia party recently won European elections in Italy with 28 percent votes.
![](https://i0.wp.com/data.indianexpress.com/election2019/track_1x1.jpg?resize=1%2C1&ssl=1)
The two leaders noted with satisfaction the regular higher political dialogue and reviewed progress of the India-Italy Strategic Partnership, while also calling for expanding commercial ties in clean energy, manufacturing, space, telecom, AI and critical minerals.
They discussed bilateral defence and security cooperation and hoped for further enhancing the defence industrial collaboration, said a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs after the meeting on Friday evening. The two leaders also “welcomed the forthcoming visit of the Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour and training ship ITS Vespucci to India later this year,” it said.
PM Modi thanked the Italian Government for recognising the Indian Army’s contribution in the Italian Campaign during WW-II and informed that India will be upgrading the Yashwant Ghadge Memorial at Montone — a memorial sundial unveiled last year as a tribute to the Indian soldiers who died during the Italian campaign.
The Indological studies tradition in Italy will also be strengthened with the establishment of the first ICCR chair on India studies at University of Milan, as per the MEA readout. Besides, New Delhi and Rome called for an early implementation of the Migration and Mobility Agreement, which would facilitate mobility of professionals, skilled and semi-skilled workers, students, and researchers.
Taking note of the coordination under the ‘Global Biofuels Alliance’, the leaders welcomed the signing of the Letter of Intent for Cooperation in Energy Transition which will boost bilateral cooperation in clean and green energy, says the statement.
Meanwhile, after meeting his counterpart from Japan, Fumio Kishida, PM Modi posted on X, “Strong ties between India and Japan are important for a peaceful, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”
“Our nations look forward to working together in defence, technology, semiconductors, clean energy and digital technology. We also wish to advance ties in infrastructure and cultural linkages,” Modi said. Kishida may be travelling to India later this year for the Quad Summit.
The two leaders noted that the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership is in its 10th year and expressed satisfaction at the progress made in the relationship. They discussed ways to deepen cooperation further, adding new and emerging areas, and strengthening B2B and P2P cooperation, as per the MEA statement.
Modi and Kishida also spoke about continuing their discussion at the next India-Japan annual summit, it said.
Besides, the PM also met a host of other world leaders participating in the summit including United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Brazilian President Lula da Silva, Turkiye President Recep Erdogan and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.