LIVE: PM Modi Meets PM Giorgia Meloni In Rome | Key Talks On Trade, Defence & Strategic Partnerships

Added: 2026-05-22

[00:00:00]There was a reception hosted by the prime minister of Italy and thereafter there was a tour given to the prime minister of ancient Rome and that is the iconic buildings including uh the colosium the iconic Roman colosium as well and there was a selfie uh because Melani and Modi's chemistry and rapo that has led to the closeness of the India Italy you know diplomatically and bilaterally has been talk of the town for the last few years and that's why that selfie has already gone viral between Modi and Melanie And today uh Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be meeting with the president of Italy Sergio Materella and thereafter there will be the bilateral engagements between Melani and of course Modi and their delegations and they will be signing of the exchanges and agreements between India and Italy. uh immediately after the meeting uh or from trade to in fact technology investments people-to-people contact uh and defense relationship also there will be some key announcements and signing ceremony that will be taking place this afternoon and uh there will be a visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to food and agriculture organization in Italy as well and finally uh that will be the culmination and end of this visit but there are some significant announcements that are likely to be made I'm also being told that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be personally inviting both uh the Italian president Sergio Matrella as well as the Prime Minister Giorgio Miloni to visit India subsequently very soon and clearly at a time of India and Europe coming up with the FDA the free trade agreement trade deal between the countries which is uh coming up for political ratification. Uh this is clearly you know uh marking a very important chapter between India and Italy's relationship. Lastly, there have been some hiccup hiccups in the past where there have been some scams unfortunately uh when it comes to defense relationship but both India and Italy are now looking towards a new chapter a new era of defense ties clearly putting past behind us. Adita also interestingly both the leaders have jointly laid out quite an ambitious vision for what they are calling an Indomeitranian partnership right >> absolutely and IMC is a very critical component of the relationship between uh India as well as Italy uh in 2023 you would remember during the G20 on the sidelines IMC was signed but because of the Middle East conflict and the Russia Ukraine conflict there has been a delay in the implementation of the IMC but that would be discussed Now of course you know Italy and India have joined a very important joint strategic plan of action 202529 which serves as the operational roadmap for the partnership and that would be discussed in detail. Now strategic cooperation energy security and resilience supply chains would be something that would be discussed in detail. uh with sparkle ital blue Roman submarine cable to genera now activated which makes it uh the western anchor of the corridor and IMC ensures not just stability of supply but also gives a boost to India's energy security when it comes to permission uh trade investment and EU FDA gateway it is India's fourth largest trading partner in the European Union with paratal trade reaching uh almost 16.77 billion in 2025 5 and the target of 20 billion by 2029. In fact, lastly, if I can tell you, Tata Motors has a euro 3.8 billion acquisition of the Ivico group is which is the largest Indian investment in Italy to date. So there would be of course not just Indian companies but Italian companies looking to invest in India and Italy has opened a sim office in Delhi with a 500 million euro founding line. So clearly uh the post India EU FDA environment unlocks a fresh scale for both these countries which they will be incin forward with with a new era of partnership where it comes to trade investment uh and the EU FDA gateway. So a lot on the pipeline today and perhaps in future as well. All eyes will be on the tangible outcomes of course Adita. Meanwhile, considering the backdrop of the tensions we are seeing, the crisis in West Asia, India and Italy are now expected to reinforce diplomatic and trade ties during this visit by a prime minister by elevating our relationship to a special strategic partner.

[00:04:28]>> Absolutely. This will be a special strategic partnership. In fact, if you would remember, India has been very closely looking at both Europe as well as the Middle East. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited UAE which already is a very important strategic partner for India. Prime Minister Modi also visited Israel not very long ago just ahead of the war and India and Israel also elevated their partnership to a special strategic partnership and now Italy and India also looking to scale up when it comes to not just trade but defense ties and partnership such as the IMAC which is a huge connectivity project between these countries and even as we look at these visuals between Maloney and Modi and the selfie that they clicked which has already gone viral there's a lot of soft diplomacy see also at play between these countries because we are talking about not merely two geographical centers in Europe and Asia. We also talking about two great civilizations that are coming together.

[00:05:24]They are in fact inching closer every passing day and the people of both countries have been visiting. Tourism is a huge uh um you know in both these countries as well. And now in even as geopolitical tensions will mark a key chapter but that would be discussed in these meetings in the bilateral Modi and Milani meet today. Uh but they will try to emerge stronger and convey a message that dialogue and diplomacy will be paving the way forward and that is what both India and Italy believe in.

[00:05:54]>> Well that is something India has reiterated time and again especially during tumultuous times globally. India and Italy are expected to reinforce diplomatic and trade ties during Prime Minister Modi's visit by elevating their relationship to a special strategic partnership as my colleague Aditya Raj call is reporting. Adita just to elaborate further on what you were mentioning briefly a key focus of this joint vision that Miss Maloney and Mr. Modi have expressed is also the India Middle East Europe economic corridor right which was spoken in detail regard about back during the G20 summit as far as progress on the ground is concerned take us where we stand.

[00:06:32]>> Well absolutely IMAC is a very important uh economic and strategic component not just between India and Italy but between India, Middle East, Europe and the United States as well. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in fact received a very warm reception when he actually landed in Rome and it is a packed schedule today for the prime minister. Indian diaspora that has become almost a ritual uh with artists and you know a lot of song and dance and color during every visit and in the Italian capital also we had similar kind of visuals clearly indicating the kind of warmth that is enjoyed between Rome and New Delhi and not just that but also the leaders Modi and Milani as well. Uh the ministry of external affairs has said that the visit will boost India and Italy ties and the trip would mark a new phase in bilateral relations between the both these countries. Uh India and Italy share a long-standing and multifaceted partnership and this this particular visit is likely to give a fresh momentum to the bilateral cooperation. uh earlier if we see prime minister Narendra Modi had visited Italy in June 2024 to attend the G7 summit and uh Prime Minister W was also in Oslo where he participated yesterday in the India Nordic summit.

[00:07:51]There's a new level of cooperation between India and Europe that is being witnessed at a time of geopolitical tension at a time of economic turbulence at a time of a west Asia crisis that has also had a ripple effect in terms of energy crisis and that's why these uh you know bilateral meetings and strategic cooperations between Europe and India are very very critical at this juncture that is only going to be elevated in future. So, IMC becomes a strategic and very important component relationship that will be implemented if not in months but years from now and certainly going to emerge as a huge connectivity project that is going to be mutually beneficial to the Europeans, the Middle East and of course India. So uh this is a year where there have been a lot of economic disruptions and many of the democracies across the globe are looking towards India to partner for a resilient future and that's the message that India brings. uh India is not just a land of opportunities but uh uh there is a huge level of trust that people have on India and that's why India and Italy uh is one such relationship that is that has a huge level of opportunities and that's what will be taken forward in terms of the special strategic partnership today once Modi and Milani meet and finally announce some very key components of the strategic partnership >> of India and opportunities an important diplomatic point here Italy had early earlier signed on to China's belt and road initiative before stepping away from it. So does that shift also now create more strategic space for deeper engagement with India?

[00:09:29]>> Well, absolutely. There is a lot of scope that remains between not just India and Italy but India and larger Europe and the different parts of Europe. You know the Nordic summit clearly indicated that Nordic countries are looking at expanding the cooperation in different areas and different components of the relationship and similarly India and Italy are also looking towards taking uh both people of Italy and India together when it comes to trade people-to-people contact mobility uh as well as other components of the bilateral relationship. So today when both these leaders uh you know meet and they finally visit the United Nations Food Agriculture Organization they would be trying to reinforce India's commitment to multilateralism and global food security. Uh remember both these countries are also looking at reforms at the United Nations level also that could be something that could be pushed. The visit will focus on how to strengthen in fact the cooperation between India and Italy uh when it comes to IMC that could be possibly something that would be reiterated and announced during the joint statement and of course as you pointed out perhwar joint strategic action plan 202529 will also be reviewed. Uh prime minister will be visiting the United Nations food and agriculture organization and at a very critical time in history right now amidst geopolitical tension. Remember there's been not just fuel price hike but the ripple effect could increase the food prices as well as supply chains are affected and disrupted. So resilient supply chains is something that India and Italy will be focusing on even as they reinforce commitment to multilateralism and global food security. So uh certainly something that India is looking to expand with Italy and share a long-standing multifaceted partnership that will be expanded further today to the finer details of the joint strategic action plan. Adita it covers a wide range of sectors as you've highlighted but break down for us which deliverables are expected to move beyond intent into concrete agreements during this visit.

[00:11:36]Well, some of the major uh agreements or some of the major components and areas which both India and Italy perhaps are looking at uh is of course trade, defense, security as well as clean energy, green transition uh apart from innovation, science and technology and finally people-to-people contact exchanges and of course mobility. So we could see possibly some agreements and some uh you know announcement that are made in these areas of innovation, clean energy, green transition uh and of course people-to-people contact but defense and trade and technology remain the biggest you know disruptors as well as something where India and Italy could expand at. Uh remember I mentioned there have been some uh hiccups in the relationship in the past when it comes to some of the scams in the defense industry as well as the marines case between India and Italy but that has now been kept in the past over the last few years there's been great rapo and chemistry diplomatically and otherwise seen between Modi and Milani that has been a great chatter across social media now both these leaders will try to implement you know this kind of a chemistry in the relationship between India and Italy as well so Rome New Delhi will try to come as close as possible uh when it comes to these important areas as well. Uh it's not just about India and other countries.

[00:12:55]It's not just about the expanded cooperation and the 19 years of negotiation that led to the India EU FDA, but they will also individually and bilaterally uh between India and Italy look towards a new era of the bilateral diplomatic relationship that could be taken to another level. As I said the trade framework which reached USD 16.77 billion in 2025 and investment with cumulative FDI of USD around uh 3.66 66 billion between 2000 and 2025 uh will be expanded to another level. And these are times where you know it's not just about the wars and the geopolitical tensions, the two wars that are simultaneously underway. It's also about the economic cooperation, the trade barriers that have led to uh a deep divided world and that would be taken into consideration in that backdrop. this conversation between India and Italy would be phenomenally important and this also reinforces finally the point why uh countries around the globe especially democracies are now looking towards India when there's a trust deficit among countries when there is a deeply divided world especially towards China Russia and United States so all these countries especially in Europe are looking towards India to diversify when it comes to trade when it comes to investments etc and they see great create opportunity not just in the private sector but across government to government cooperation uh with India as well.

[00:14:22]>> Adita I just want to talk a little more about the Italian perspective. Now Georgia Maloney as we know has positioned Italy as an assertive player within Europe but how does she view India strategically in the Indoacific and also the Mediterranean context?

[00:14:39]Well, India is seen as a trusted partner. That is why uh not just in the context of the IMC and resilient supply chains that both these countries believe should happen. Uh there will be cooperation on maritime security as well as blue economy and there would be some kind of a strategic partnership that would be looked at uh in this level. So uh certainly the long-standed multifaceted partnership will be taken ahead uh in this direction as well you know in the Indoacific and in the context of the Mediterranean uh there is a huge potential that should have happened you know years ago but finally there's been a growing realization as I said the IMC came up on the sidelines of the G20 in 2023 but we are sitting at May 2026 and still there's no implementation because of the geopolitical tensions and because of difference of opinion. Uh but finally uh there is a renewed push that is happening towards IMC. Be it earlier this year when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Israel or now when Prime Minister is in fact in Italy. So many countries in the Europe and Middle East actually want to see the light of the day sooner than later and the status quo to in fact move towards a more resilient supply chain, a more resilient connectivity where India plays a predominant role. So that could be something that could be discussed at length and at least there would be some kind of an announcement reinforcing uh support by India and Italy towards the IMC that could possibly see a phased implementation in months and years from now.

[00:16:12]>> Right. We do also know that Europe is anxious about economic slowdown also anxious about industrial competitiveness.

[00:16:21]Is it fair to now say India is now being seen in Europe less as a market and more as a long-term strategic growth partner?

[00:16:29]>> Well, both are true in a way. Uh when Europe or the Middle East look towards India, it looks towards scale. It looks towards the kind of population that India has but also the policies of manufacturing or policies of opportunities that India really has to offer and that's why uh in many cases there is joint manufacturing in many cases there is a joint level of technology sharing uh that could possibly see in fact there are some companies in Europe that are investing and putting up plants in India uh which are very very important and strategically important for instance prime minister Narendra Modi was in Norway in Sweden in uh and in Netherlands where you know the many private sector companies including in defense are eager to establish you know components and plants in India where they could immediately you know see results uh in particularly in manufacturing and the same is true for the Middle East as well and that's why you know immediately there are plans to in fact uh you know have low level of bureaucracy or red tapism and help these countries establish these plans in India and paves the way for a renewed uh you know industrialization uh and a joint working mechanism where both these countries are helped and there is a new level of cooperation in trade, defense, innovation, technology and with the disruptions like AI there could be new levels of partnership that could be witnessed in future. So a packed schedule for Prime Minister Narendra Modi today where he would be visiting you know uh United Nations food center but also before that the main critical component of the relationship the meeting bilateral delegation level talks between Modi and Melani will be taking place today and immediately after that some important announcements and signing of agreements between India and Italy. Also, Dita, tell us what really are Italian businesses telling the government privately behind the scenes about India? Are they still worried about regulatory complexity since we're talking about partnerships growing in strength or has that perception changed significantly?

[00:18:36]>> Well, certainly certainly this is a important question that you are asking about you know bureaucratic delays, red tapism, logistical concerns as well. uh but I think these are some uh you know important questions that any uh country would have if they are eager to invest if they are eager to see sharing of technology and investments as well. Uh I think there were roadblocks and hurdles and barriers in the past because of the economic seas etc. But a lot has changed over the years and a lot of river a lot of water has flown down the river as well and I think prime minister Modi's government and India's foreign policy have also evolved over the years and that's why there are you know new mechanisms at play so that uh there is more investment that is attracted towards India uh the government's policies of making India atma bat and welcoming you know foreign countries and investments clearly paves the way for a new chapter in the relationship. So certainly these delays are now being blocked u and certainly we would see a new level of partnership between these countries as these concerns uh that have been raised by several countries are met and uh new uh level of investment could be possibly seen in future.

[00:19:50]>> Adita as always thank you so much for taking us through all the details and what to look out for. We will of course revert to you for regular updates.

[00:19:58]Now beyond the heavy geopolitical agendas, all eyes are also on the unique personal rapper that has consistently defined this partnership. This report takes you through all the viral moments.

[00:20:13]As Prime Minister Modi lands in Italy for high level bilateral talks with Italian Prime Minister George Melon, social media is once again buzzing over the now famous Melody moments.

[00:20:25]>> Hello from the Melody team.

[00:20:29]From selfies to warm greetings and viral compliments, >> the Modi Melon camaraderie has repeatedly grabbed internet attention.

[00:20:40]Let's now take you through some of the viral moments. The viral phenomena of Melody first ignited at the COP 28 climate summit in Dubai when Italian Prime Minister Georgia Maloney shared a picture on her social media channels captioning it, "Good friends at COP 28."

[00:20:57]alongside the hashtag melody. The candid friendly interaction went viral instantly and launched the Melody internet trend. Then at the G7 summit in Italy, cameras captured a warm and informal interaction between the two leaders where Melan cheerfully addressed the camera saying, "Hello from the Melody team."

[00:21:18]>> Hello from the Melody team.

[00:21:22]At the G7 summit in Canada, another intimate exchange between the two went viral where Melani warmly greeted Prime Minister Modi and said, "You are the best. I am trying to be as you."

[00:21:37]>> I'm trying to be.

[00:21:40]>> And with every new summit meeting, the internet's fascination with Melody only continues to grow. From light-hearted moments to viral oneliners and warm public exchanges, the Modi Melon camaraderie has created a unique blend of diplomacy and bonhomi.

[00:21:58]As Prime Minister Modi begins his latest round of talks in Italy, all eyes will once again be on the summit sidelines waiting for the next melody moment to break the internet.

[00:22:09]Bureau Report, NDTV.

[00:22:30]All right, let's now turn our attention to home ground. 8 days after Twisha Sharma was found dead at her marital home in Bopal, the investigation itself is now under scrutiny. Her husband remains untraceable as we speak. We've seen a vicious cycle of blame, investigative lapses, and abdication of responsibility. Responsibility, I beg your pardon, that has resulted in her parents demanding a second autopsy to find the facts. On the run, though, for eight days now, Twisha's husband, Sam Singh, continues to remain at large with a lookout notice issued against him after his anticipatory bail was rejected by the court two days ago. Meanwhile, the police that was facing heat over investigative lapses have now come out and called this case suicide. They say this is based on the only postmortem conducted so far, which was a names bopal which is now under the shadow of police negligence. The very leage of material central to this case, the belt allegedly used in the hanging did not even reach the postmortem table initially. Police now admit it was submitted days later.

[00:23:31]The family says that alone compromises confidence in this investigation. They are also refusing to perform the last rights and are demanding a second autopsy outside Madhya Pradesh preferably in New Delhi.

[00:23:46]>> One last question. U the belt uh the debate is on why that belt uh which was used by Trisha to hang herself or the belt which was used to kill her as the family alleges was not submitted with the body when it was going for postmortem. There was a delay there was a lapse of the investigating officer.

[00:24:07]What do you have to say on that? Well, that basically is uh that belt uh of course it was seized by FSL officers but that was not uh sent to hospital before PM. Uh that that we can say negligence and uh we will conduct a separate inquiry about it. But uh when we came to know the belt was sent to hospital and they gave us a report means it is not it will not have any adverse impact on our investigation. Now the thing >> you think it's required uh to match the marks on her neck uh uh with that belt which was used.

[00:24:45]>> Yeah it is required and that was done.

[00:24:48]>> It doesn't affect the final report.

[00:24:49]>> Yeah. Yeah.

[00:24:50]>> The delay doesn't affect the final report.

[00:24:51]>> Delay doesn't affect the final report.

[00:24:54]>> Okay. Uh there was one serious allegation of the mother-in-law on Twisha that she used to use substance she was addicted to drugs. Uh in the postmortem report has anything come around that any conclusion on her drug uh usage?

[00:25:09]>> No in PM there is nothing about drugs and uh uh in our investigation we have also not found such kind of things.

[00:25:22]Well, speaking of the claims of Twisha Sharma's in-laws escalating days after her death, claiming that she was an addict who refused to have a child and took a unilateral decision for her abortion has left her close relatives fuming. Rashi Sharma Tusha's sister-in-law strongly condemned these comments, saying it was appalling behavior. Here's what she told NDTV.

[00:25:43]It took so much time to just get an FIR registered on Twisha's death. When was the last time you were in contact with her? Why do you think it took so long?

[00:25:55]What do you think is going on?

[00:26:01]Uh so the last contact uh made between us was on 12th of May itself and uh considering the uh delay in the investigative procedure that is the FI being lodged itself uh right 3 days after the incident. Sir that is um again quite surprising sir as to um all the questions and the discussion that has been done so far and with due respect to all the panelists here uh we again would want to come to the point that um as to the our concerns and questions are again remain the same and those would B.