PM Modi Announces Establishment Of 'Startup Bridge' To Boost Strategic Partnership Between India & Italy

PM Modi said India and Italy have also decided to hold joint exercises and training courses between the armed forces of the two countries on a regular basis.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni during a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Source : PTI

New Delhi: In a bid to boost their bilateral ties to a strategic partnership, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced the establishment of a ‘startup bridge’ between India and Italy.

Addressing the media after a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, PM Modi said new opportunities were opening up in India in the sector of co-production and co-development, such as renewable energy, green hydrogen, semiconductors, telecom and space, which can be beneficial for both the countries.

"This year India and Italy are celebrating the 75th anniversary of bilateral relations. On this occasion, we have decided to elevate the India-Italy partnership to the status of a strategic partnership," PM Modi said.

PM Modi said India and Italy have also decided to hold joint exercises and training courses between the armed forces of the two countries on a regular basis, and that the countries Italy have been working shoulder-to-shoulder on issues such as terrorism and separatism. "We held extensive discussions on further strengthening this cooperation," PM Modi said.

Hailing Italy's active participation in the Indo-Pacific, PM Modi said, "It is a matter of great pleasure that Italy has decided to join the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative. This will enable us to identify concrete themes for enhancing our cooperation in the Indo-Pacific."

Notably, Italian PM Meloni was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan as she arrived on a state visit on Thursday. PM Modi welcomed his Italian counterpart at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where she was accorded a tri-services guard of honour. She later offered tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.

The Italian prime minister was received at the airport by Minister of State for Health Bharti Pawar. She is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and a high-powered business delegation.

Notably, PM Meloni will also be the chief guest and keynote speaker at the 8th Raisina Dialogue, which will start this evening.