New Delhi: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said India may play a crucial role in facilitating the negotiation process that may end the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine.

Addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Meloni added that Italy aimed to strengthen its partnership with India on defence and energy security, as well as cybersecurity and other areas.

She added that PM Modi is among the “most loved leaders around the world".

“We hope that India having a G20 presidency can play a central role in facilitating a negotiating process for the cessation of hostilities (in Ukraine). Keeping the multilateral community together is important and we hope the Indian presidency can do it even more,” the Italian PM was quoted as saying by ANI.

“PM Modi knows he can rely on us, on our cooperation for the G20 summit, to further enhance our relationship. I believe there is a lot we can do together,” Meloni said.