JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India held a productive bilateral meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg today, Sunday, November 23, 2025. The interaction was marked by significant warmth and a shared commitment to deepening the strategic partnership between the two nations.

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The meeting between the two leaders, often referred to for their strong personal rapport, took place during the final day of the G20 Summit, which has been hosted for the first time on African soil.

Focus on Strategic Partnership and Global Challenges

 

While the leaders were earlier seen engaging in a brief, light-hearted exchange that drew attention on Saturday, today’s meeting was a formal bilateral session aimed at reviewing and advancing the India-Italy relationship.

Key areas of discussion included:

• Strategic Partnership: Both Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the India-Italy Strategic Partnership, which has gained significant momentum in recent years. This partnership spans defense, trade, and technology.

• Bilateral Cooperation: The leaders discussed ways to enhance cooperation across various sectors, particularly focusing on economic linkages, green energy transition, and defense technology.

• Global Challenges: They exchanged views on pressing international and regional issues. Notably, the leaders reaffirmed a shared interest in bringing an early end to the conflict in Ukraine and cooperating on broader global challenges.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the meeting, noting that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and other senior officials were also present.

A Relationship of Growing Diplomatic Warmth

 

The meeting highlights the growing diplomatic closeness between New Delhi and Rome. Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Meloni have developed a notable rapport, having met multiple times over the past couple of years, including recently at the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada.

The personal connection was further highlighted when PM Modi contributed a preface to the Indian edition of PM Meloni’s book, I Am Giorgia, emphasizing the rooted civilizational links and shared values between India and Italy.

The Bigger Picture at G20

 

The bilateral engagement with Italy was part of Prime Minister Modi’s packed schedule in Johannesburg, where he also held constructive meetings with several other world leaders, including the Prime Ministers of Japan, Canada, and the President of Brazil.

These meetings, combined with PM Modi’s address to the G20 where he proposed initiatives on countering the drug-terror nexus and launching the G20-Africa Skills Multiplier Initiative, underscore India’s active and influential role in shaping the G20 agenda and global discourse.

The discussions with Prime Minister Meloni are expected to pave the way for increased collaboration, particularly as Italy prepares for its presidency of the G7 in the near future.