PM Modi holds talks with his Italian counterpart Mario Draghi in Rome

Rome: India and Italy have reviewed the 2020-2025 Action Plan of bilateral partnership and reiterated the commitment to further expand trade and investment linkages. In Rome, Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday held delegation-level talks with his Italian counterpart Mario Draghi.

To provide fresh impetus to the bilateral cooperation in renewable and clean energy,  the two countries issued a joint statement announcing a strategic partnership on energy transition, and agreed to explore partnerships in areas including large size green corridor projects, smart grids, energy storage solutions, gas transportation, development and deployment of green hydrogen and promotion of biofuels.

The two leaders resolved to cooperate for accelerating the clean energy transition to fight climate change. They also had a very good discussion on two way investments, particularly in the clean energy and renewable sector.

Later in a tweet, Mr. Modi said that there is great potential to further scale up economic linkages, cultural cooperation and for the two countries to work together towards a more environment-friendly planet.

Briefing media, Foreign Secretary, Harsh Vardhan Shringla said, during his meeting with the Presidents of the European Commission and European Council, the Prime Minister highlighted India's perspective on Climate Change and  Afghanistan. 

He said the main issues of discussion were related to the G20 Summit during this meeting as well as the meeting with the Italian Prime Minister. He said, New Delhi has proposed mutual recognition of COVID-19 vaccine certificate at G20.  

Replying to a query, the Foreign Secretary said, the Prime Minister told European leadership that the situation in Afghanistan cannot be seen in isolation.

Prime Minister Modi will participate in the 16th G-20 Summit today.

The summit is very significant in view of COVID-19 pandemic. Heads of State of G-20 Countries, the European Union, and other invited countries and International Organizations will attend the Summit. It will hold discussions on the global economic and health recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,



sustainable development and climate change among other issues.

On the sidelines of the G-20, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with the Presidents of France and Indonesia as well as Prime Minister of Singapore. Mr. Modi will also call on Pope Francis at Vatican City where they are expected to discuss a range of areas of interest in terms of the general global perspectives, COVID-19 and health issues.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister met community members and friends of India in Italy and also held interactions with the Italian Hindu Union, Indologists and Sanskrit experts from Italian universities. Paying his respect to the Indian soldiers who fought in Italy during first and second World Wars,  he met institutions and associations involved in their commemoration.  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a rousing welcome from Indian diaspora when he reached Piazza Gandhi in Rome to pay floral tributes to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. As soon as PM's cavalcade entered the premises, chants of PM's name reverberated in the surroundings. Sanskrit chants, slogans of 'Modi, Modi' reverberate at Piazza Gandhi in Rome as Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with people gathered there.

The G20 comprises of 19 countries and the European Union. This international forum brings together the world’s major economies. Its members account for more than 80 percent of world GDP, 75 percent of global trade and 60 percent of the population of the planet.

The forum has met every year since 1999. Yearly Summits have been held since 2008 with the participation of the Heads of State of G20 nations. In addition to the Summit, ministerial meetings, Sherpa meetings, working groups and special events are organized throughout the year. The Summit is the final stage, at Leaders’ level, of the intense work carried out within these various groups throughout the year.

The COVID pandemic has had profound impacts on the health of humans worldwide. The G20 Summit this year, under Italian Presidency, will focus on three broad, interconnected pillars of action: People, Planet, Prosperity.