PM Modi and Italian PM Meloni Share Warm Exchange at G20 Summit in South Africa

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni engaged in a cordial exchange during their meeting in South Africa, where both leaders had traveled to participate in the G20 Summit.

Prior to the commencement of the G20 Leaders' Summit opening session at Nasrec in Johannesburg, South Africa, the two leaders warmly greeted each other with a handshake.

#WATCH | Johannesburg, South Africa | Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during the G-20 Summit

(Source: DD News)

The two leaders had previously met in June on the sidelines of the G7 Summit held in Kananaskis, Canada.

Demonstrating the robust relationship between them, PM Modi had authored the preface to Meloni's book titled 'I Am Giorgia', noting that India-Italy relations are based on "shared civilizing instincts, such as the defence of heritage, the strength of community, and the celebration of femininity as a guiding force".

"The words of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for whom I have profound respect, in his preface to the Indian edition of the book 'I Am Giorgia', deeply touch and honour me. These are sentiments that I sincerely reciprocate, with all my heart, and which testify to the strong bond between our nations," Meloni was quoted as saying by Italian news agency Adnkronos.

The Johannesburg summit on Saturday saw the attendance of numerous world leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

However, the US president did not attend the event, with his administration stating that South Africa's priorities - which include enhancing global cooperation on trade and climate action - were inconsistent with US policy.