R ome [Italy], May 20 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni outlined an ambitious roadmap for deepening ties between India and Italy in a joint op-ed published across several international news platforms, describing the relationship as a "special strategic partnership" central to the emerging "Indo-Mediterranean" era. In the op-ed titled "Italy and India: A Strategic Partnership for the Indo-Mediterranean," the two leaders said bilateral ties had entered a "decisive stage," evolving from a cordial friendship into a partnership rooted in "the values of freedom and democracy, and a common vision for the future." The joint piece framed the India-Italy relationship as part of a broader geopolitical transformation linking the Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean into what the leaders termed the "Indo-Mediterranean" corridor, a growing network for trade, energy, technology, data and strategic connectivity. PM Modi and Italian PM Meloni highlighted expanding political coordination, economic integration and technological cooperation between the two countries amid rapid shifts in the global order. "Our cooperation mirrors our shared awareness that prosperity and security in the 21st century will be shaped by the ability of nations to innovate, manage energy transitions, and strengthen strategic sovereignty," the two leaders wrote. The op-ed emphasised plans to combine Italy's industrial and manufacturing expertise with India's economic scale, innovation ecosystem and engineering talent. The leaders also set a target of surpassing EUR 20 billion in bilateral trade by 2029, focusing on sectors including defence, aerospace, clean energy, machinery, pharmaceuticals, textiles and tourism. Referring to the growing industrial linkages between the two countries, the article noted that more than 1,000 Indian and Italian companies are now operating across both markets, strengthening supply chain integration between Europe and Asia. A major focus of the joint vision is centred on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, advanced manufacturing and digital infrastructure. The two leaders stressed that AI development must remain "responsible and human-centred," combining India's "MANAV" vision of technology serving humanity with Italy's "algor-ethics" framework rooted in its humanist tradition. "Technology cannot replace individuals or undermine their fundamental rights, nor be used to manipulate public debate or alter democratic processes," the op-ed stated. The leaders also pointed to expanding cooperation in space technology, cybersecurity, maritime security and resilient infrastructure, while reaffirming their commitment to combating terrorism, cybercrime, drug trafficking and human trafficking. On energy cooperation, PM Modi and Italian PM Meloni highlighted growing collaboration in renewable energy, green hydrogen, smart grids and sustainable infrastructure, alongside joint participation in initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and Global Biofuels Alliance. The op-ed also underscored support for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), describing it as a transformative vision linking transport, digital networks, energy systems and resilient supply chains between Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Invoking civilisational themes, the two leaders said India's concepts of "Dharma" and "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" resonate strongly with Italy's Renaissance-era humanist traditions. "Our shared vision aims to lay the foundation for a strong and forward-looking India-Italy Partnership with our people at the centre," PM Modi and Italian PM Meloni added. Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

T hiruvananthapuram (Keralam) [India], May 20 (ANI): Keralam Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Wednesday announced that the state Cabinet has decided to fully denotify the SilverLine semi-high-speed rail project, effectively putting an end to the controversial initiative launched by the previous LDF government. Addressing the press conference after the Cabinet meeting, Satheesan said the government would also recommend the withdrawal of all cases related to protests against the project and the removal of land acquisition-related demarcation markers. "In today's Cabinet, we have decided to denotify the SilverLine project. The acquisition process will be denotified. We will recommend that the concerned authorities withdraw all cases connected with the SilverLine agitation. We have asked the Revenue Department to remove all boundary signals for acquiring this land," the Chief Minister said. Reiterating the government's stance, Satheesan said the administration was not opposed to the high-speed rail project but rejected the SilverLine proposal on grounds of feasibility and environmental impact. "We are not against the high-speed rail project. We oppose the SilverLine project because it was an environmental disaster. It was not economically viable. There wasn't even a detailed project report," he added. Following the Cabinet decision, S Rajeevan, general convener of K-Rail SilverLine Virudha Janakeeya Samiti, welcomed the move and said the decision marked the culmination of a seven-year struggle. "We are extremely happy because we have been fighting against this project for the last seven years. In Kerala's history, there has never been another issue where police were deployed from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod, and people were dealt with in such a harsh manner. This is a resounding victory for the agitation we carried out against it," Rajeevan told ANI. He added that the agitation committee had submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister a day earlier, listing four key demands -- cancellation of the 2020 project decision, withdrawal of the 2021 land acquisition notification, withdrawal of all pending police cases, and removal of yellow survey stones placed in various locations. "We salute this government because the demands we submitted to the Chief Minister yesterday have been accepted. In the memorandum. We had sought four major decisions -- first, cancellation of the 2020 decision related to the project; second, withdrawal of the 2021 land acquisition notification; third, withdrawal of all pending police cases connected to the protests; and fourth, removal of the remaining yellow survey stones placed in various locations. It is a matter of great happiness that the Cabinet itself accepted these demands," Rajeevan said. "It is a matter of great happiness for the agitation committee that the Cabinet itself took a decision on these demands today after receiving the memorandum yesterday. We are conveying our gratitude and happiness to the government," he added. The 530-km SilverLine corridor, planned to connect Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod, was mooted in 2019 by the previous LDF government as a semi-high-speed rail network. However, the project faced sustained public protests, political opposition and legal hurdles over land acquisition and displacement concerns. The alignment required the acquisition of over 1,200 hectares of land and was projected to displace around 10,000 families, triggering widespread resistance across the state. The project, estimated to cost over Rs 63,000 crore, also faced questions over financial viability and dependence on international loans, along with delays in securing central approvals. (ANI)

D haramshala (Himachal Pradesh) [India], May 20 : Tibetan spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, on Wednesday, attended a long life prayer ceremony offered by the Central Dokham Chushi Gangdrug and Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Association at the Main Tibetan temple, drawing thousands of devotees from around the world. The ceremony was held at the Tsuglagkhang temple complex, where more than six thousand Tibetans, including monks, nuns, and international followers, gathered in the morning to offer prayers for the Dalai Lama's long life. Organisers said the event carried deep spiritual significance for the Tibetan community in exile and reflected global devotion toward the religious leader. Nawang Dhondup, a Tibetan devotee, told ANI, "We from the Dokham Chushi Association and the Himalayan Buddhist community have gathered here to offer a prayer for the long life of his holiness the Dalai Lama. We are very fortunate that His Holiness is here with us, and we got an opportunity to get his blessings. I am very happy to be here today." Another devotee from Brazil, Natasha, described the Dalai Lama as a symbol of peace amid global conflicts. She told ANI, "I came to see the Dalai Lama today. For me, he is a symbol of peace. Since it's war everywhere these days. It's a difficult time, and we need peace, so I came here to see him." Marico, a Tibetan devotee who had prepared for the ceremony over several years, said the occasion held deep emotional importance and told ANI, "We are here to take part in the long life prayer ceremony for his holiness the Dalai Lama. He is very important for us, and I, being one of the participants, have been preparing for this ceremony for the last three years, so it's a very important day for all of us, and I am very glad to be here today." Tsering Dorjee, one of the organisers, said the joint arrangements by the two Buddhist organisations ensured the ceremony proceeded smoothly and told ANI, "Dokham Chushi Gangdrug and Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Association are jointly organising this long life prayer ceremony, and it went really very well, so all of us are very happy to see his holiness the Dalai Lama among us today. People from all over the world have come here to pray for His long life, and it is a very important occasion for all of us." The event concluded with prayers for the spiritual leader's longevity, underscoring his continued global influence and the deep reverence he commands among Tibetan Buddhists and international followers. Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor