‘Parishram Hi Safalta Ki Kunji Hai’: Meloni Uses Hindi Proverb To Describe India-Italy Ties

Last Updated:May 20, 2026, 17:53 IST

The remark comes days after Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir also used the Hindi word “sambandh” — meaning relationship or connection — while speaking alongside Modi.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday quoted a Hindi proverb during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Rome as the two countries elevated bilateral ties to a “Special Strategic Partnership".

Referring to the relationship between India and Italy, Meloni used the Hindi phrase “Parishram Hi Safalta Ki Kunji Hai", which translates to “Hard work is the key to success".

The remark comes days after Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir also used the Hindi word “sambandh" — meaning relationship or connection — while speaking alongside Modi, highlighting a recent trend of foreign leaders invoking Indian phrases and cultural references during high-level diplomatic engagements with New Delhi.

“We have built our relations in this way, with hard work which becomes successful," Meloni said while concluding her remarks at the joint presser.

PM Modi, meanwhile, said he had several opportunities to meet Meloni over the past few years and that the growing engagement reflected the “close cooperation and harmony" between India and Italy.

“Under her leadership, our relations have gained new momentum, a new direction and renewed confidence," Modi said while announcing the elevation of ties to a “Special Strategic Partnership".

The Italian Prime Minister used the Hindi phrase while speaking about the steady expansion of ties between the two countries across trade, technology, innovation, defence and connectivity.

Meloni said India and Italy are working to strengthen cooperation in sectors such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, space, energy, critical minerals, manufacturing and maritime transport.

PM Modi also described technology and innovation as the “engines" of the India-Italy partnership and said the two countries share “immense potential for cooperation" in areas such as AI, quantum technology, space and civil nuclear energy.

She also highlighted plans to establish an India-Italy Innovation Centre in New Delhi to connect startups, universities, research institutes and industries from both countries.

Speaking on trade, Meloni said bilateral trade currently stands at 14 billion euros and expressed hope that it would rise to 22 billion euros by 2029, aided by the proposed India-European Union free trade agreement.

PM Modi thanked Italy for supporting the conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement and said both countries would work towards its early implementation so that businesses could fully benefit from it.

The Italian leader also stressed cooperation on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), saying both countries view the project as important for trade, connectivity and economic growth.

On global issues, Meloni said India and Italy share common positions on international stability, economic security, resilient supply chains and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region.

The two leaders also discussed the conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, while reiterating support for dialogue and diplomacy.

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