Senior representatives from Italy and India convened for the 2nd bilateral Consular Dialogue on Friday in New Delhi. During the discussion, they explored ways to improve collaboration on a range of topics, including expedited visa processing, professional and student mobility, safe and lawful migration, safeguarding the rights of women and children, and facilitating easy travel for their respective citizens. According to a press release from the Ministry of External Affairs, the discussions between representatives of the two countries strengthened the close people-to-people ties and cooperative efforts that India and Italy have across consular matters of mutual trust.
The Indian delegation, which included Joint Secretary CPV K J Srinivasa, other officials from different departments within the Ministry of External Affairs, and representatives from other ministries and agencies, was led by Muktesh Kumar Pardeshi, Secretary (CPV&OIA) in the Ministry of External Affairs. The Italian delegation, led by Vincenzo de Luca, the Italian ambassador to India, and Luigi Maria Vignali, the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director General for Migratory Policies and Italians Abroad, was received by the Indian officials.
MEA stated, “Both sides discussed ways of enhancing cooperation on a wide range of issues such as quicker visa processing, mobility of students and professionals, safe and legal migration, MMPA, protection of vulnerable women and children and enabling smooth travel of their respective nationals.”
“Both sides agreed to hold the next Consular Dialogue in Rome on mutually convenient date,” it added.
On February 22, former Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata stated that significant progress in the relationship was made during Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s first formal visit to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Italian minister told ANI that many significant actions were made to strengthen the bilateral relations between India and Italy during Meloni’s visit. “It is understood that Italy and India have a wonderful relationship that was established because of the new Italian government that was installed in October 2022,” he stated.
“The first official visit by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during which some important steps were made and a lot of progress was made in the quality, programs and in the way to be concrete….” he added.
During his visit to India, Terzi also met External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar on the sidelines of Raisina Dialogue. In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, “Continued a conversation with Senator@GiulioTerzi of Italy, this time on sidelines of #RaisinaDialogue2024.”
