‘START-UP BRIDGE’ BETWEEN INDIA & ITALY: PM MODI

Prime Minister of Italy GiorgiaMeloni and Prime Minister NarendraModi held bilateral talks on Thursday and decided to elevate the India-Italy partnership to the level of strategic partnership.
Prime Minister Modi made the remarks at the press meeting with Italian Prime Minister GiorgiaMeloni here at Hyderabad House. Pointing that India and Italy are celebrating the 75th anniversary of their bilateral relations this year, PM Modi also said “we have decided to give the status of Strategic Partnership to India-Italy partnership” on this occasion.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister mentioned the Ukraine-Russia conflict and said India is fully prepared to contribute to any peace process.
“From the very beginning of the Ukraine conflict, India has made it clear that this dispute can be resolved only through dialogue and diplomacy. And India is fully prepared to contribute to any peace process,”
He also welcomed Italy’s active participation in the Indo-Pacific, saying the move will help in identifying concrete themes for enhancing our cooperation in Indo-Pacific.
Italian Prime Minister GiorgiaMeloni also spoke on bilateral engagement between the two countries in areas of defence and security, economy and technology.Prime Minister of Italy appreciated the leadership of Prime Minister Modi on regional and global matters. When it comes to concerns, interests and priorities of the global south he added.The discussion covered the entire gamut of bilateral, regional and global cooperation.
A Memorandum of understanding on Defence cooperation has been concluded.