New Delhi, Sep 29 (UNI) Describing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s memoir as her “Mann Ki Baat”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India and Italy are joined in spirit by a respect for tradition and an embrace of modernity, which also forms the bedrock of their personal friendship.
In his foreword for the book ‘I am Giorgia, My Roots My Principles’, PM Modi has said that India and Italy are bound by much more than treaties or trade.
“We are bound by shared civilizational instincts like the defence of heritage, the strength of community and the celebration of womanhood as a guiding force.
“Our nations are joined in spirit by a respect for tradition and an embrace of modernity.
“This is the bedrock of my own personal friendship with Prime Minister Meloni.”
He expressed hope that as India and Italy deepen their partnership, the book will enrich their understanding of each other and reinforce the importance of human connection at the heart of global cooperation.
He also expressed confidence that the book will be well received “as a refreshing story of an outstanding contemporary political leader and a patriot”.
“It has been a great honour to have written this foreword. It is not just an autobiography; it is her Mann Ki Baat.
“With respect, admiration, and friendship, Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India.”
The Foreword by PM Modi comes as both Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and PM Modi have been known to strike a warm chord, and their friendship has been described as “Melodi”, with a play on the words Meloni and Modi.
The Italian PM has been very open in her expression of friendship for PM Modi, making it a point to post selfies with PM Modi whenever they meet. This personal equation between the two leaders has helped take the bilateral ties to a different level, leaving behind the bitterness that had crept into diplomatic ties following the 2012 killing of two Kerala fishermen by two Italian marines off the coast of Kerala, a case that had dragged on for years before it was closed in 2021.
The memoir is brought out by Rupa and also has a foreword by Donald Trump Juior. It is being released on October 7.
