Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during the latter’s visit to India in March. File.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, in a joint op-ed across several news platforms on Wednesday (May 20, 2026), outlined an expanded roadmap for cooperation between the two countries across sectors, including trade, technology, energy, space, and security, against the backdrop of an emerging “Indo-Mediterranean” corridor.

“The relationship between India and Italy has now reached a decisive stage. In recent years, our ties have expanded with unprecedented momentum, evolving from a cordial friendship into a special strategic partnership grounded in the values of freedom and democracy, and a common vision for the future,” said Mr. Modi and Ms. Meloni in the op-ed titled “A Strategic Partnership for the Indo-Mediterranean”.

“Both India and Italy are located at the very heart of two crucial hubs of the global economy—the Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean—regions that cannot be viewed as separate spheres, but instead as increasingly interconnected spaces,” it said.

“As a matter of fact, we are witnessing the emergence of what might be termed the Indo-Mediterranean, an important corridor for trade, technology, energy, data and ideas tying the Indian Ocean to Europe. It is precisely within this interconnected space that our bond naturally evolves into a special strategic partnership—one that bridges two continents and shapes new global dynamics,” said the op-ed.

In this context, it added, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) represents a vision aimed at connecting the regions through modern transport and infrastructure, digital networks, energy systems, and resilient supply chains; and that India and Italy are also committed to working together with other partners to make this vision a reality. In September 2023, the IMEC was announced on the sidelines of G20 Summit in Delhi.

“Our cooperation mirrors our shared awareness that prosperity and security in the 21st century will be shaped by the ability of nations to innovate, manage energy transitions, and strengthen strategic sovereignty. To this end, we have committed to deepen and diversify our bilateral relationship with a view to pursuing new objectives and pooling our complementary strengths,” said Mr. Modi and Ms. Meloni.

Stating that India and Italy want to reach and exceed the €20-billion bilateral trade target by 2029, the leaders said the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and India paves the way in the same direction. In focus are defence & aerospace, clean technologies, machinery, automotive components, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, agri-food, tourism and other sectors.

“We aim to forge a powerful synergy between Italian design, manufacturing excellence, and world-class supercomputers—reflecting Italy’s position as an industrial powerhouse—and India’s rapid economic growth, engineering talent, scale, and innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem with over 100 unicorns and 200,000 start-ups,” said the op-ed, adding that it would lead to co-creation of value.

“The growing interest of Italian businesses in the production for India and the increasing presence of Indian industries in Italy—numbering over 1,000 from both sides now—is a positive sign that will strengthen the integration of our supply chains,” it said.

The op-ed also highlighted cooperation in digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence (AI).

“India’s Digital Public Infrastructure is already finding resonance with a large number of countries, particularly in the Global South…Italy and India have long been collaborating to ensure that AI development is responsible and human-centred,” it said, emphasising that both countries see AI as a powerful instrument for inclusive development, particularly for the Global South.

“Our approach combines India’s digital scale with Italy’s ethical and industrial expertise, ensuring technology serves human dignity. By sharing best practices in secure digital cooperation, capacity-building and resilient cyber infrastructure, we aim to create an open, trustworthy and equitable digital space in which every nation can shape and benefit from AI,” said Mr. Modi and Ms. Meloni.

They said the perspective forms the core of Italy’s G7 Presidency and outcomes of the AI Impact Summit 2026, held in Delhi.

Technology cannot replace individuals or undermine their fundamental rights, nor should it be used to manipulate public debate or alter democratic processes, the leaders said.

The op-ed highlighted collaborations in the fields of space, defence, security and strategic technologies, including security of critical maritime routes, renewable energy, hydrogen technologies, smart grids and resilient infrastructure. “Our collaboration along with other countries in key India-led initiatives—International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and Global Biofuels Alliance—is also important in this context,” said the op-ed.

The leaders said India’s values—such as “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family)—find a natural echo in Italy’s humanist tradition, rooted in the Renaissance, which highlights the dignity of each individual and the power of culture to unite peoples and societies.

Published – May 20, 2026 12:32 am IST

In this screengrab from a video posted on February 25, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the gathering at the Knesset, Israeli parliament, in Israel.
| Photo Credit: @YouTube/@NarendraModi via PTI

An AI-generated image of French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, shared by the former on social media. Photo: X/@EmmanuelMacron

The Union government on Saturday (January 31, 2026) denied the contents of newly released emails from the late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which claimed that U.S. President Donald Trump had played a role in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel in 2017, referring to the mails as “trashy ruminations by a convicted criminal”.

In more than a dozen mails and phone messages released by the U.S. government on Friday (January 30, 2026), Epstein referred to India and Mr. Modi, expressing a desire to enhance U.S.-India engagement. He also claimed he would set up a meeting with the Prime Minister for Republican strategist and Mr. Trump associate Steve Bannon, shortly after the 2019 general election. Epstein also appeared to be engaged in correspondence with Indian businessman Anil Ambani about many of these issues.

The Opposition called for an explanation from the government regarding the allegations, terming them a “national shame”.

‘Trashy ruminations’

Epstein had linked a Modi-Trump meeting on June 25 and 26, 2017 to the PM’s subsequent Israel visit from July 4 to 6 that same year, claiming that the Israel visit had “worked” because Mr. Modi had followed the advice of the U.S. President.

“We have seen reports of an email message from the so-called Epstein files that has a reference to the Prime Minister and his visit to Israel,” the MEA spokesperson said in a statement issued on Saturday. “Beyond the fact of the Prime Minister’s official visit to Israel in July 2017, the rest of the allusions in the email are little more than trashy ruminations by a convicted criminal, which deserve to be dismissed with the utmost contempt,” the spokesperson added.

The timing of the emails is significant as the Prime Minister is expected to make his second visit to Israel at the end of February.

From Puri to Epstein

The emails were part of about three million pages released by the U.S. Department of Justice as part of its investigation into Mr. Epstein’s paedophilic ring and influence operations.

They included an email from Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri to Epstein in November 2014, detailing reasons why it would be important to engage with India after Mr. Modi’s election. Mr. Puri did not deny sending the email, but neither he nor the MEA commented on it.

Mr. Puri retired from the Indian Foreign Service as India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in 2013. At the time the email was sent, he was working with the International Peace Institute, and although he was not in the government, he was a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

In response to previous emails released in November 2025 that detailed correspondence and meetings between Mr. Puri and Epstein, BJP spokespersons had called Epstein’s claims “bogus” and “drunk bragging on mail”.

‘Shocking and shameful’

The MEA’s statement came in response to questions about a specific email sent by Epstein on July 6, 2017, purportedly advising an influential Qatari person by the name “Jabor Y”, who is reportedly close to the Qatari royal family, on being more vocal against terrorism, presumably in the context of Israel and Hamas.

“The Indian Prime Minister Modi took advice and danced and sang in Israel for the benefit of the US president. They had met a few weeks ago.. it worked ! (sic),” Epstein said in the mail sent on the day Mr. Modi’s visit to Israel ended.

TMC MP Sagarika Ghosh called the email “shocking and shameful”, calling on the government to provide “clarity”.

‘PM Modi on board’

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera also demanded clarifications on two other emails dated May 24, 2019, the day that Mr. Modi was sworn in for his second term, from Epstein to Mr. Bannon and to Mr. Ambani.

In the emails, Epstein told Mr. Ambani that “Mr. Modi might enjoy meeting Steve Bannon.” Epstein also told Mr. Bannon that he had a “really interesting Mr. Modi meeting” without explaining whom exactly he met. “[PM Modi] won with a huge mandate. His guy said that no one in [Washington] speaks to him,” he said, adding that India’s “main enemy” is China and “[China’s] proxy Pakistan.” In another message, he added: “Mr. Modi on board.”

Mr. Ambani’s office did not respond to queries from The Hindu about the emails.

‘Congress fraud’

Responding to the Congress party’s remarks on the Epstein email that mentioned the Prime Minister, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra accused the Opposition party of fraud.

“An email from this person, Jeffrey Epstein, where he is talking to someone else — both individuals are of questionable character, and we don’t know much about them — that email has been edited by the Congress party. In that email, where the word ‘his’ is not present, the Congress party has tried to add ‘his advice’, making it appear as if Prime Minister Narendra Modi took advice from Jeffrey Epstein. It’s not even in the email, but the Congress party has edited it, committed fraud, and added the word ‘his’,” Mr. Patra said.

“The PM is mentioned several times in the latest instalment of the Epstein files released by the US Govt. The Official Spokesperson has been compelled to respond. But many questions do remain,” Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a post. 

Published – January 31, 2026 08:54 pm IST

Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar on Wednesday (January 28, 2026) confirmed that an invitation has been extended to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Israel, adding that preparations are underway and official announcements on dates will be made in due course.

“The invitation was extended. We are in preparations, and in due time, there will be declarations regarding specific dates,” Mr. Azar said in an interview with ANI on the sidelines of International Holocaust Remembrance Day in New Delhi.

Speaking on the future of India-Israel ties, Mr. Azar described the partnership as a strategic one and said 2025 has been a particularly productive year, marked by ministerial engagements and the signing of key agreements, which include a bilateral investment treaty, security agreements, and progress toward finalising a free trade agreement and financial protocols, adding that cooperation in counter-terrorism remains a key pillar of the relationship.

“We have had an amazing year in 2025; we have many ministerial meetings and visits. We have signed several agreements, including the bilateral investment treaty. We want to finalise the free trade agreement and to sign financial protocols. We have signed the security agreement and will sign another one, hopefully soon. This partnership really is strategic in nature for both countries, and we are looking forward to enhancing it also in 2026,” the Israeli Ambassador said.

Reflecting on the significance of Holocaust Remembrance Day, marked annually on January 27, the Ambassador said the observance serves as a reminder of the dangers of hatred, intolerance and racial supremacy. “The Holocaust was a systematic murder of Jewish people driven by a terrible ideology. Lack of tolerance can lead to very terrible results for humanity, and we have a shared responsibility to prevent that,” he said.

Praising India’s civilisational ethos, Mr. Azar highlighted the country’s long tradition of pluralism and tolerance, noting that Jewish communities in India have historically lived without facing the persecution seen elsewhere.

“India has a civilisational tradition of tolerance. Jews have enjoyed their presence here, and we deeply appreciate that. This is part of the great friendship between our two civilisations,” he said.

The Israeli Ambassador to India was speaking on the sidelines of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day event held in the national capital.

The day, marked on January 27, is observed to remember the six million Jews killed under the Nazi regime during World War II, seen as an act of antisemitism.

According to the United Nations, this date was chosen as it marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Death Camp on January 27, 1945.

Earlier, addressing the International Holocaust Remembrance Day event held in the national capital, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri drew a parallel to the October 2023, Hamas terror attack on Israel and said that India is “too familiar with such mindless brutality” and has its own share of experience as a victim of cross-border terrorism, in a veiled reference to the April 2025 terrorist attack which killed 26 people in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.

Mr. Misri said India immediately empathises with nations that face terrorism, recalling the killing of around 1,200 Israeli nationals and the abduction of hundreds during the Hamas attack.

“India is unfortunately too familiar with such mindless brutality, having been a victim of cross-border terrorism ourselves. We empathise immediately with those who undergo the same tragedy,” Mr. Misri said.

He noted that India had strongly condemned the October 7 attack and reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement of solidarity with Israel.

“This is why we not only condemned this horrific terrorist attack and hostage-taking, but also our Prime Minister clearly stated that India stands with the people of Israel in the fight against terrorism,” he added.

Reflecting on the significance of Holocaust remembrance, the Foreign Secretary said the lessons of history remain deeply relevant today.

“The Holocaust did not begin with the extinguishing of life. It began with words – words of hatred, words of dehumanisation, words of exclusion,” Mr. Misri said, warning against the normalisation of prejudice, discrimination and silence.

He said remembering the victims of the Holocaust is both an act of moral courage and a solemn commitment to ensure that such crimes against humanity are never repeated. Mr. Misri also paid tribute to Holocaust survivors, acknowledging their resilience in the face of unimaginable suffering.

He stressed that terrorism must be condemned in all its forms and manifestations and reaffirmed India’s consistent support for genuine efforts aimed at peace and stability in West Asia.

Mr. Misri also welcomed progress under the Gaza Peace Plan, noting that the ceasefire and release of hostages have brought immense relief. “We earnestly hope these efforts lead to lasting peace and a durable resolution of conflicts in the region,” he said.

Published – January 29, 2026 05:58 pm IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the latter’s arrival, in New Delhi. Photo: X/@narendramodi via PTI Photo.

Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises H. D. Kumaraswamy,  BJP Karnataka State president B.Y. Vijayendra, Leader of the Opposition of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly R .Ashok during press conference in Bengaluru on Saturday.   
| Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN