PM Modi receives guard of honour in Italy ahead of bilateral talks with Meloni

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Italy for the final leg of a five-nation tour, received a guard of honour in Rome. Earlier, he was welcomed by Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni. Both leaders will later hold bilateral talks to strengthen ties between the nations. Prime Minister Modi is also expected to visit the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation headquarters. Crucial bilateral talks aim to strengthen the strategic partnership established in 2023. Discussions focus on expanding cooperation in defense, agriculture, space, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. The two nations are exploring joint research and co-manufacturing of defense equipment. A joint strategic action plan signed in 2024 outlines goals through 2039, with an ambitious target to increase bilateral trade to 20 billion euros. Italy remains the fourth-largest trading destination for Indian exports in Europe, with exports growing by nearly twenty percent and remittances increasing by thirty-two percent over the last two years, reflecting growing economic and strategic ties.