Apulia [Italy], June 15 (HBTV): Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G7 Summit here on Friday night and discussed defence and security cooperation between the two countries.  

"The two sides discussed bilateral defence and security cooperation and hoped for further enhancing the defence industrial collaboration. They welcomed the forthcoming visit of the Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour and training ship ITS Vespucci to India later this year," the Ministry of External Affairs said in an official release.  

Modi thanked the Italian Government for recognising the Indian Army's contribution to the Italian Campaign during World War II and informed that "India will be upgrading the Yashwant Ghadge Memorial at Montone in Italy."   

Modi and Meloni noted with satisfaction the regular higher political dialogue and reviewed the progress of the India-Italy Strategic Partnership.   

"While expressing happiness at growing trade and economic collaboration, they called for expanding commercial ties in clean energy, manufacturing, Space, S&T, telecom, AI and critical minerals to build resilient supply chains. In this context, they welcomed the recent signing of a MoU on Industrial Property Rights (IPR) which provides a framework for cooperation on patents, designs and trademarks," the MEA release read.  

Meanwhile, both leaders have welcomed the signing of the Letter of Intent for Cooperation in Energy Transition, which will boost bilateral cooperation in clean and green energy. It was taken note of under the 'Global Biofuels Alliance'.  

‘They expressed happiness at the new Executive Program of Cooperation for 2025-27 to promote joint research and development in Science and Technology,’ the MEA said. 

The Indian prime minister attended the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy, at the invitation of the Italian prime minister. 

(ANI) This is a syndicated news feed. HBTV has edited it for clarity.