Modi Hails Meloni’s Historic Run as Italy’s Longest-Serving PM

New Delhi, September 04, 2026 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after she achieved a historic political milestone by becoming Italy’s longest continuously serving prime minister in the postwar era. Modi described the achievement as a sign of the confidence placed in Meloni by the Italian people and extended his wishes for her continued success. His message also highlighted the growing importance of the relationship between New Delhi and Rome. In his post on X, Modi said, “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 further praised her contribution to bilateral ties, saying, “Her friendship has also been instrumental in strengthening the India-Italy Special Strategic Partnership and I look forward to continuing our close cooperation to build a prosperous future for the people of our countries. My best wishes for her continued success in the years ahead,” Meloni, who became Italy’s first woman prime minister after taking office on October 22, 2022, completed 1,413 days in the post on Friday, overtaking former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi. The latest exchange also reflects a reciprocal gesture between the two leaders. In July, Meloni had congratulated Modi after he became India’s longest-serving elected prime minister and expressed her intention to work with him on creating fresh opportunities for both nations and their citizens. She had said, “Congratulations to Narendra Modi who today becomes the longest-serving elected Prime Minister in the history of India. It has been a pleasure to meet again in Rome in recent weeks and to launch together a Special Strategic Partnership that looks to the future to create new opportunities for our Nations and our peoples.” The India-Italy relationship gained a significant boost during Modi’s two-day official visit to Italy in May. His meetings with Meloni and Italian President Sergio Mattarella were followed by an agreement between Modi and Meloni to elevate bilateral relations to a Special Strategic Partnership. The leaders noted the “strong momentum” in high-level contacts and agreed to organise annual meetings between their leaders, including during multilateral gatherings, while also encouraging regular engagement at ministerial and institutional levels. Beyond official diplomacy, the two leaders have also attracted attention for their friendly public interactions. During his Italy visit, Modi gifted Meloni a packet of “Melody” toffees, reviving the popular “#Melodi” social media trend. Meloni later shared a video of the moment on Instagram and said, “Prime Minister Modi brought us a gift — a very, very good toffee — Melody,” adding, “Thank you for the gift.” The latest congratulatory message therefore comes against the backdrop of both a strong personal rapport and an expanding strategic partnership, signalling that India and Italy intend to deepen their cooperation further in the years ahead.