Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his arrival in Rome on Tuesday. PM Modi had reached Rome on the last stop of his five-nation tour. Sharing a picture with PM Modi on Instagram, Meloni wrote, “Welcome to Rome, my friend!”
Meloni had earlier also shared a photo of the two leaders taken at the Colosseum in Italy. Earlier in the day, PM Modi received a warm welcome from the Indian community as he arrived in Rome for the fifth and final stop of his five-nation tour.
Conversations with members of the Indian community
The Prime Minister interacted with members of the Indian community and enjoyed cultural programs at his hotel. PM Modi also gave an autograph to a child who had welcomed him by drawing a picture.
Swami Shuddhanand Giri was also among those who met the Prime Minister. She told that she is meeting PM Modi for the second time after 2021. He further said that the Italian Parliament has recognized ‘Sanatan Dharma Sangh’ as an official religion in Italy.
He told ANI, “I am very happy and this is the second time we have met him. We met him in 2021 and he has continuously supported and promoted our mission… The Italian Parliament has recognized ‘Sanatana Dharma Sangha’ as an official religion here in Italy.”
Meanwhile, a member of the Indian community expressed his happiness at meeting the Prime Minister. “We are very happy with the way he came and spoke to us. This is the first time we have got a chance to meet him. It is a very special moment for us and he has given the message of unity and brotherhood,” he told ANI.
PM Modi also saw a painting depicting the ghats of Varanasi. This painting was created by an Italian artist inspired by Indian culture. The painter told ANI, “The experience was wonderful. It was one of the best experiences of my life. He (PM Modi) was very polite; he shook my hand and asked how much time it took me to make this painting. For me, this painting acts as a bridge between the vision of an Italian artist and the colorful culture of India. This is the holy city of Varanasi. I love India very much and my art is deeply influenced by Indian culture.”
An artist who performed to welcome the Prime Minister also expressed his happiness after the conversation. She said, “I have been living in India for 15 years… I feel very good after performing to welcome PM Modi.”