Plans Afoot for Italian PM Giorgia Meloni's India Visit in March

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New Delhi: Plans are afoot for the visit of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to India next month, which will be her visit to the country in current capacity since taking office in October of last year. Talks are on between the 2 sides on the highly anticipated visit that comes as both nations look to strengthen their bilateral ties in trade, investment, counter-terrorism, and people-to-people relations.

PM Modi, & Italian PM Meloni met on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Bali in November and discussed a range of issues. The Indian Prime Minister had congratulated her in September last year for leading her party, Fratelli d'Italia in the Italian general elections. 

This year, both nations celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations. Speaking to WION in January, Italian ambassador Vincenzo de Luca said, 'we can think we can have further progress. One is energy transition and green economy and the other is the defense industry. We would also like to contribute to India and shape a new vision of the Indo-Pacific, on connectivity, maritime security, and energy transition". He highlighted that his country, "would also like to contribute to India and shape a new vision of the Indo-Pacific, on connectivity, maritime security, and energy transition."

In October 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first official visit to Italy to attend the G20 Summit . During the trip, PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with the then-Italian PM Draghi & a Joint Statement on a Strategic Partnership on Energy Transition was issued.

Italy and India have long-standing ties, with Italy being one of India's top five trading partners in the European Union and the 12th largest investor in India. The Indian community in Italy is the second-largest Indian community in Europe, with over 160,000 Indian nationals residing in the country. A significant proportion of the Indian diaspora is concentrated in northern Italy, central Italy, and southern Italy.

New Delhi will be hosting the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz from 24th February & in March, Australian PM Anthony Albanese will be in the Indian National capital. India will host number of world leaders this year as it hosts the G20, SCO meetings & summit.