Modi’s discussions with Italy, Indonesia, Egypt, South Korea, and others focus on defence, trade, and global cooperation
During the ongoing G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a series of high-level bilateral meetings, including discussions with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as well as leaders from Indonesia, Norway, Portugal, Egypt, and South Korea. These talks were aimed at strengthening diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between India and these countries.
Modi, who had just completed a diplomatic visit to Nigeria before heading to Brazil, underscored the importance of fostering robust partnerships across various sectors, including defence, security, trade, technology, culture, and education.
A key meeting took place on November 18 with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy, where both leaders discussed ways to further deepen the strategic relationship between India and Italy. Their conversation touched on a wide range of areas, including defence collaboration, technological advancements, and cultural exchanges. Modi and Meloni also announced the India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan for 2025-29, a landmark agreement designed to give a renewed push to the long-standing bilateral partnership.
Embed from Getty Images“We had productive discussions on how to elevate our relationship, especially in defence, security, and trade. Our mutual commitment to advancing the India-Italy strategic partnership was reaffirmed,” Modi stated in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. He added that India and Italy’s friendship could make significant contributions to global progress.
For her part, Prime Minister Meloni expressed enthusiasm over the meeting, describing it as a “precious opportunity” to reaffirm both countries’ dedication to mutual prosperity. She highlighted that the new action plan would further solidify the collaboration between the two nations, bringing tangible benefits to their economies and citizens.
On the sidelines of the summit, Modi also met several other global leaders, including Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, and IMF Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath. These discussions reflected India’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its relationships across diverse regions, with particular emphasis on economic cooperation, technology, and shared global challenges.
Modi’s engagements underscored India’s pivotal role in shaping discussions on global issues, including food security, energy, and the ongoing crises in the Global South. The prime minister also met with EU President Ursula von der Leyen to explore areas of collaboration between India and the European Union, further advancing the country’s position in the international arena.
As the G20 Summit continues, these bilateral exchanges are expected to pave the way for stronger cooperation and mutual growth, addressing pressing global challenges while advancing national and regional interests.
