Italy-India ties stronger than ever: Meloni thanks Modi after record 1,413 days in office
Synopsis
Giorgia Meloni's government just broke Italy's postwar longevity record at 1,413 days — and her first diplomatic note of gratitude went to PM Modi. The exchange underscores how quickly the India-Italy axis has matured: from a routine bilateral to a Special Strategic Partnership, with IMEC as the shared geopolitical bet.
Key Takeaways
Giorgia Meloni 's government completed 1,413 days in office on 4 September , becoming the longest-serving in postwar Italian Republic history, surpassing former PM Silvio Berlusconi .
Meloni thanked PM Modi via a post on X , calling India-Italy ties 'stronger than ever.' Both leaders reaffirmed commitment to the India-Italy Special Strategic Partnership , formalised during Modi's May 2025 visit to Italy.
The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) was highlighted as a shared strategic priority.
Meloni became Italy's first woman Prime Minister on 22 October 2022 .
In July , Meloni had congratulated Modi on becoming India's longest-serving elected Prime Minister.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday, 4 September thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his congratulatory message on her government completing 1,413 days in office — making it the longest-serving government in the postwar history of the Italian Republic. Meloni declared that ties between India and Italy are 'stronger than ever' and reaffirmed commitment to deepening the bilateral Special Strategic Partnership.
Meloni's Response to Modi
Responding to Modi's post on X, Meloni wrote: 'Thank you, dear Narendra Modi, for your words and for your friendship. The relationship between Italy and India is today stronger than ever. The Special Strategic Partnership that we launched during our last meeting is the recognition of the importance of this bond and of the will to unite the expertise of our Nations to create new opportunities for growth, seizing the extraordinary opportunities for collaboration that we have before us.'
She added: 'I am certain that Italy and India, together, will continue to strengthen the bond between our Continents as well, working side by side also to develop the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.'
Modi's Congratulatory Message
Earlier on Friday, Modi posted on X: 'Congratulations to my friend Prime Minister Meloni on becoming the longest continuously serving Prime Minister in Italy's postwar history. This milestone is a reflection of the trust and confidence of the Italian people in her leadership.' He also credited Meloni's 'friendship' as 'instrumental in strengthening the India-Italy Special Strategic Partnership' and expressed his readiness to continue close cooperation.
A Record-Breaking Milestone
Meloni assumed office as Italy's first woman Prime Minister on 22 October 2022. Her government surpassed the tenure of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to set the postwar longevity record on Friday. The milestone adds political weight to her diplomatic engagements, including the deepening partnership with India.
The India-Italy Special Strategic Partnership
The partnership was formalised during Modi's two-day official visit to Italy in May, where he held talks with both Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella. The two leaders agreed to elevate bilateral ties to the level of a Special Strategic Partnership, welcomed the 'strong momentum' of high-level exchanges, and committed to annual leader-level meetings — including on the sidelines of multilateral events — as well as regular ministerial and institutional-level dialogues.
Notably, in July, Meloni had congratulated Modi on becoming India's longest-serving elected Prime Minister, signalling the reciprocal warmth that now characterises the bilateral relationship. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) — a flagship connectivity project — remains a shared priority for both governments going forward.
Point of View
Long a secondary partner for New Delhi, has been elevated to Special Strategic Partnership status in under three years, driven partly by IMEC's geopolitical logic and partly by personal rapport between the two leaders. What mainstream coverage underplays is the timing: Meloni's record tenure gives her unusual political capital at home, making her a more durable interlocutor for India than most European leaders right now. The real test will be whether IMEC moves from communiqué language to concrete infrastructure commitments — something both governments have yet to demonstrate with specificity.
NationPress
4 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Giorgia Meloni's government considered record-breaking?
Meloni's government completed 1,413 days in office on 4 September, surpassing the tenure of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to become the longest-serving government in the postwar history of the Italian Republic. She assumed office on 22 October 2022 as Italy's first woman Prime Minister.
What is the India-Italy Special Strategic Partnership?
The Special Strategic Partnership was formalised during PM Modi's two-day official visit to Italy in May, where he held talks with both Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella. The partnership commits both nations to annual leader-level meetings and regular ministerial dialogues, with IMEC as a key shared priority.
What is IMEC and why does it matter to India and Italy?
The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is a proposed connectivity and trade route linking India to Europe via the Middle East. Both Modi and Meloni have identified it as a strategic collaboration priority, with Italy positioned as a key European gateway for the corridor.
What did PM Modi say about Meloni's record?
Modi posted on X that the milestone 'is a reflection of the trust and confidence of the Italian people in her leadership' and credited Meloni's friendship as 'instrumental in strengthening the India-Italy Special Strategic Partnership.' He expressed readiness to continue close cooperation.
Have Modi and Meloni exchanged similar congratulations before?
Yes. In July, Meloni congratulated Modi on becoming India's longest-serving elected Prime Minister and expressed readiness to work with him on new opportunities. Friday's exchange by Modi reciprocated that gesture, underlining the personal warmth that now characterises the bilateral relationship.
