“Hard Work Brings Success”: Italy PM Meloni Speaks in Hindi During Modi Meet

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warmly welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his official visit to Rome, highlighting the growing friendship between India and Italy. At a joint press conference held in Rome, Meloni surprised many by speaking in Hindi and explaining the popular phrase “hard work is the key to success.” She used the Hindi word “parishram,” meaning dedication, continuous effort, and hard work, to describe the strong and evolving relationship between the two nations. Meloni praised PM Modi’s leadership, vision, and practical approach, saying his visit was a great honor for Italy and would open a new chapter in bilateral ties. She emphasized that India and Italy are now “closer than ever before” and announced that both countries have officially elevated their relationship to a “Special Strategic Partnership,” the highest level of diplomatic cooperation between them. The new partnership places Italy among a select group of countries—including Russia, Japan, France, United States, and Australia—with which India shares deep strategic relations. This upgraded status reflects strong mutual trust and cooperation in critical sectors such as defense, trade, technology, energy, infrastructure, and security. During the discussions, both leaders explored opportunities to strengthen collaboration in advanced manufacturing, critical minerals, space economy, agro-industry, maritime transport, tourism, and culture. Several important Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were also signed to support future cooperation in these areas. PM Modi thanked Meloni and the Italian government for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation. He also invited the Italian Prime Minister to visit India in the near future. Modi noted that Rome is globally known as the “Eternal City” and compared it to his parliamentary constituency, Kashi, which is also recognized for its ancient civilization and cultural significance. The visit marked an important milestone in India-Italy relations, showcasing stronger diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between the two democratic nations.