The two sides will hold discussions on bilateral, regional and global issues
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will pay a state visit to India later this week and hold wide-ranging talks on strengthening security and defence cooperation and working towards closer economic ties in addition to other issues of mutual concern.

Announcing the visit on Monday, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Prime Minister Meloni will be accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Antonio Tajan and a high powered business delegation during the visit on March 2-3.

According to the MEA, both sides will take stock of the progress on the key outcomes of the November 2020 Summit, strengthen security and defence cooperation, work towards closer economic ties, enhance opportunity for mobility of talent and give strategic guidance to ongoing collaboration in Science & Technology.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and PM Meloni will hold discussions on bilateral, regional and global issues. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will call on PM Meloni. The visiting PM will call on President Droupadi Murmu.

The Italian Prime Minister will also be the Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker at the 8th Raisina Dialogue, 2023.

The MEA highlighted that this would be the first bilateral VVIP visit from Italy to India after 5 years; the last Prime Ministerial visit from Italy to India took place in October 2018.

During the visit, a business roundtable will be organised on March 2. It will be co-chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani and India's Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal.

India and Italy are celebrating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations this year.

According to the MEA, the multifaceted bilateral relationship is based on shared cultural values, commitment to foster economic growth, collaboration in the fields of green energy, science & tech, defence and marked by convergence on regional and global issues. The two countries have also been cooperating closely in various multilateral forums.

Prime Minister Meloni's visit is expected to further strengthen and deepen the long-standing relationship between India and Italy, the MEA added.