NEW DELHI, 16 February 2007 — Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi’s state visit to India concluded yesterday with the signing of two memorandums of understanding and a cultural exchange program.
Accompanied by his wife and four ministers, Prodi began his India visit in Chennai on Feb. 10. He went to Bangalore, Mumbai and Kolkata before arriving here. With Prodi heading a large government and business delegation, his visit is viewed as an “important milestone in the expansion and strengthening of bilateral economic cooperation between the two countries,” Indian sources said.
Prodi was received by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday morning and accorded the ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. During a chat with reporters, Prodi expressed “deep affection and friendship” Italy held for India. Hailing India’s progress, Prodi expressed Italy’s desire to be part of it and for further cementing relations in the economic sphere. He also voiced Italy’s keenness to emerge as Europe’s bridge to Asia.
Prodi paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. This was followed by separate meetings with Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee. Prodi also met United Progressive Alliance chief Sonia Gandhi, Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee. He met President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam before leaving for home.
The Indian premier hosted a banquet in honor of Prodi. The two leaders also met Indo-Italian CEO Forum members. The MOUs were signed after talks between the two premiers. They are about setting up a joint working group on combating international terrorism and transnational crime and on renewable energy cooperation.
Prodi also inaugurated the office of Italian state television in Delhi.
Prodi earlier visited India as Italian Prime Minister in 1998. As a former president of the European Commission, Prodi participated in the first five India-EU (European Union) summits (2000-04) and visited India for the second and fourth India-EU Summits.
Italy figures among India’s top five trading partners in the EU and 11th largest investment partner. During the first nine months of 2006 the bilateral trade figure was 3.5 billion euros. The 17th session of the India-Italy Joint Economic Commission was held in Rome in November 2006.
