Italian PM Giorgia Meloni Uses Hindi Proverb to Highlight Growing India-Italy Partnership

Rome, May 2026 : Highlighting the strengthening ties between India and Italy, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday used a popular Hindi proverb during her joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Rome, underscoring the importance of hard work and commitment in building successful international partnerships.

Following bilateral talks with PM Modi, Meloni referred to the Hindi expression “Parishram hi safalta ki kunji hai” — meaning “hard work is the key to success” — while describing the evolving relationship between the two countries.

“There is an Indian word which states that very well, which is ‘Parishram’. Parishram means hard work and constant commitment. It is a word often used in India, and there is a popular saying, ‘Parishram hi safalta ki kunji hai’, which means hard work is the key to success. This is how we are building our relations — through hard work that ultimately leads to success,” Meloni said during the media interaction.

Her remarks reflected not only the growing strategic partnership between India and Italy but also the increasing cultural connect between global leaders and Indian expressions. Meloni also expressed gratitude to PM Modi for visiting Italy and said the visit would mark a new chapter in bilateral relations.

She noted that the cooperation between the two nations is being built with dedication, continuity, and a shared long-term vision. “This certainly will not be the last chapter in the journey that we are building together with commitment and determination,” she added.

Prime Minister Modi is currently on the final leg of his five-nation Europe tour, which has focused on expanding India’s strategic, economic, and diplomatic engagement with European nations. The Italy visit has attracted attention not only for discussions on trade, defence, and geopolitical cooperation but also for the growing warmth and personal rapport between the two leaders.

Observers noted that Meloni’s use of a Hindi proverb reflects India’s expanding global cultural influence and the increasing resonance of Indian language and traditions in international diplomacy. Over recent years, Hindi words and expressions have increasingly featured in speeches by foreign leaders during engagements with India.

Interestingly, this is not the first instance during PM Modi’s current Europe tour where Indian linguistic and cultural references have become part of diplomatic exchanges. Earlier this week, Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir expressed admiration for the Hindi word “Sambandh” during the India-Nordic Summit in Oslo.

Addressing the media alongside PM Modi and Nordic leaders, Frostadottir noted that the word “Sambandh,” which means connection or relationship in Hindi, also exists in Icelandic with a similar meaning. She praised the concept, saying people today need stronger “sambandh” or bonds in a rapidly changing world.

PM Modi had also highlighted the shared linguistic connection during his remarks in Oslo, saying the similarity in the word reflected not just language but also shared thinking and mutual understanding among nations.

The repeated references to Hindi expressions during high-level diplomatic engagements are being seen as a reflection of India’s growing soft power influence and its expanding role in shaping global conversations through culture, language, and strategic partnerships.