Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday invoked a Hindi phrase while describing the growing ties between India and Italy during a joint press statement with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Rome. “There is an Indian word which states that very well, which is ‘parishram’. ‘Parishram’, which means hard work, constant commitment. A word which I know is very often used in India, and it is often used in a very popular way of saying: ‘Parishram hi safalta ki kunji hai’,” Meloni said. She then translated it, “Which means, tough work is the key to success. And we use it to build our relations in this way, with hard work, which becomes success at the end.”The Prime Minister had arrived in Rome on Tuesday in the last leg of his five-nation tour following his engagements in Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates. The remarks came as India and Italy unveiled the India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029 and formally upgraded bilateral relations to a Special Strategic Partnership during PM Modi’s visit to Italy.Announcing the elevation of ties, PM said the new framework would provide a “practical and futuristic structure” to cooperation between the two countries. “Technology and innovation are engines of our partnership. There are infinite possibilities for our partnership in the areas of AI, Quantum, Civil Nuclear Energy and Space,” the Prime Minister said.He also said trade between the two countries was moving towards the 20 billion euro target and noted that more than 400 Italian companies were operating in India.Highlighting the broader cultural connect between the two countries, Modi compared Rome with Varanasi, his parliamentary constituency, saying interactions between India and Italy reflected “the depth of history, a glimpse of the future and the simplicity of friendship”.Meanwhile in show of friendship, away from formalities, PM Modi gifted Meloni a packet of popular Indian toffees Melody.The Prime Minister arrived in Rome on Tuesday in the final leg of his five-nation tour after visits to Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates.
