Defence and security cooperation was a focal point of the discussions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with his Italian counterpart, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy on Friday (June 14, 2024). This meeting underscored the strengthening ties between India and Italy, marking another chapter in their Strategic Partnership.
 
According to Prime Minister Modi, the discussions covered steps to strengthen bilateral ties in areas like commerce, energy, and defence in addition to working together on biofuels and critical minerals.

“Had a very good meeting with PM @GiorgiaMeloni. Thanked her for inviting India to be a part of the G7 Summit and for the wonderful arrangements. We discussed ways to further cement India-Italy relations in areas like commerce, energy, defence, telecom and more. Our nations will work together in futuristic areas like biofuels, food processing and critical minerals,” Prime Minister Modi said on X, formerly Twitter.
 
According to information released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Prime Minister Meloni congratulated Prime Minister Modi on his re-election for a third consecutive term, to which Modi expressed gratitude and appreciation for the invitation to the G7 Outreach Summit. He also commended Italy for the successful conclusion of the Summit, which focused on critical global issues.

The meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Meloni highlighted the robust political dialogue and reviewed the progress of the India-Italy Strategic Partnership.
 
Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the growing trade and economic collaboration between their countries. They emphasized the need to expand commercial ties in key sectors such as clean energy, manufacturing, space, science and technology, telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals to build resilient supply chains.

A significant development in their economic collaboration is the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Industrial Property Rights (IPR). This MoU provides a framework for cooperation on patents, designs, and trademarks, further enhancing the trade relationship between the two nations.
 
Defence and security cooperation was a focal point of the discussions. Both leaders expressed their hope for further enhancing defence industrial collaboration. They welcomed the forthcoming visit of the Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour and training ship ITS Vespucci to India later this year, signalling deepening military ties.

Prime Minister Modi also thanked the Italian government for recognizing the Indian Army’s contributions during the Italian Campaign in World War II. He informed Prime Minister Meloni about India's plans to upgrade the Yashwant Ghadge Memorial at Montone, Italy, in honour of the brave Indian soldiers who fought in the campaign.
 
Another key area of discussion was the coordination under the ‘Global Biofuels Alliance’. The leaders welcomed the signing of the Letter of Intent for Cooperation in Energy Transition, which aims to boost bilateral cooperation in clean and green energy. This initiative aligns with both countries’ commitment to sustainable development and reducing carbon footprints.

They also expressed happiness at the new Executive Programme of Cooperation for 2025-27, which is set to promote joint research and development in science and technology. This program is expected to foster innovation and technological advancements, benefiting both nations.
 
The strong people-to-people connections between India and Italy were highlighted during the meeting. The longstanding tradition of Indological studies in Italy will be further strengthened with the establishment of the first ICCR Chair on India Studies at the University of Milan. This initiative will promote cultural exchange and enhance mutual understanding between the two countries.

The leaders called for the early implementation of the Migration and Mobility Agreement, which would facilitate the mobility of professionals, skilled and semi-skilled workers, students, and researchers. This agreement is expected to bolster educational and professional exchanges, contributing to the socio-economic development of both nations.
 
Prime Ministers Modi and Meloni reiterated their commitment to the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative, which aims to fulfil their shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. They discussed important regional and global issues, agreeing to strengthen cooperation in global fora and multilateral initiatives, including the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.

A Symbol of Friendship: The #Melodi Selfie

In a lighter moment, Prime Ministers Modi and Meloni took a selfie, continuing the viral #Melodi trend that started at the COP28 Summit in 2023. This selfie, their second, was shared by Meloni on her official social media handle, accompanied by a video clip of both leaders waving at the camera and the Italian PM saying, "Hello from the Melodi team." Prime Minister Modi responded to the post with, "Long live India-Italy friendship!"
 
The meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the G7 Summit was a testament to the growing and dynamic relationship between India and Italy. Their discussions covered a wide range of issues, from trade and economic collaboration to defence cooperation and cultural exchange.