Rome: Rome witnessed a warm diplomatic moment on Tuesday evening as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a private dinner before the two leaders prepare for official bilateral discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation between India and Italy.
Prime Minister Modi reached Italy on the final stop of his five-country international tour that also included visits to the UAE, the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway. Shortly after arriving in Rome from Norway, he met Meloni for an informal interaction that included a visit to the historic Colosseum, one of Italy’s most celebrated landmarks.
Sharing details of the evening on social media, Modi said the meeting provided an opportunity for both leaders to exchange views on several global and bilateral matters. He added that he was eager to continue discussions during formal talks scheduled for Wednesday, with a focus on expanding cooperation and deepening the friendship between the two nations.
The Colosseum, located in the heart of Rome, remains one of the most recognised symbols of ancient Roman architecture and attracts millions of visitors annually. The visit added a cultural dimension to the diplomatic engagement between the two leaders.
The Indian prime minister also acknowledged the enthusiastic reception extended by the Indian diaspora in Italy. He praised the community for maintaining strong cultural ties with India while contributing positively to relations between the two countries.
According to External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, members of the Indian community organised a vibrant welcome ceremony featuring performances inspired by Indian classical traditions. Italian performers presented dance forms such as Kathak, Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam, while musicians played traditional Indian instruments including the Santoor, Tabla, Bansuri and Sitar.
During his visit, Modi also interacted with Italian artist Giampaolo Tomassetti, who gifted him a painting based on the spiritual city of Varanasi. Modi noted that the painter has maintained a long-standing interest in Indian heritage and culture for more than four decades. He highlighted Tomassetti’s earlier work illustrating books on Vedic traditions and his extensive paintings inspired by the Mahabharata between 2008 and 2013.
The prime minister further observed that Indian music and cultural traditions are increasingly finding appreciation among Italian audiences, reflecting growing cultural connections between the two countries ahead of the official diplomatic engagements in Rome.
