'Welcome to Rome': Giorgia Meloni greets 'friend' PM Modi as he arrives in Italy, shares selfie from Colosseum

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Tuesday as he arrived in Rome, his last stop in the five-nation visit.

Meloni took to X to post a selfie with Modi standing at the Colosseum and captioned it: “Welcome to Rome, my friend!"

Earlier in the day, Modi was welcomed by the Indian diaspora in Rome. At his hotel, the prime minister interacted with members of the Indian community and watched cultural performances.

An Italian artist displayed a painting of the Varanasi ghats, drawing inspiration from Indian heritage and culture.

Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, alongside taking part in a range of diplomatic engagements before departing for India.

He also announced plans to visit the headquarters of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), highlighting India’s continued focus on multilateral cooperation and global food security initiatives.

“I have landed in Rome, Italy. I will meet President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and hold discussions with them. This visit will focus on how to strengthen cooperation between India and Italy, with particular attention to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)," PM Modi said.

“The Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029 will also be reviewed. I will also visit the headquarters of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), reinforcing India’s commitment to multilateralism and global food security," the prime minister added.

The Italian Deputy PM Antonio Tajani welcomed the prime minister at the Rome airport, tweeted External Affairs Ministry, adding that India and Italy’s strategic partnership is scripting a new chapter.

“Scripting a new chapter in the India-Italy Strategic Partnership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Rome on an official visit to Italy. He was warmly received at the airport by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani of Italy. India and Italy share a longstanding and multifaceted partnership. The visit is set to add new momentum to the India-Italy partnership," the MEA stated on X.

India-Italy ties have been on the rise, with both countries pushing forward the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029 aimed at deepening cooperation in key sectors.

These include trade, which touched $16.77 billion in 2025, investments with cumulative FDI standing at $3.66 billion between April 2000 and September 2025, along with defence, security, clean energy, technology, innovation and cultural exchanges.

Before arriving in Italy, PM Modi visited Norway for the fourth stop of his five-nation tour. He had earlier visited Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates.