Italian artist gifts Varanasi painting to PM Modi in Rome

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a painting depicting Varanasi from renowned Italian artist Giampaolo Tomassetti during his visit to Italy, in a gesture reflecting the artist’s deep admiration for Indian culture and spiritual traditions.Sharing the moment on social media platform X, PM Modi described the artwork as “a glimpse of Kashi in Rome” and appreciated Tomassetti’s long association with Indian heritage, Vedic traditions and classical literature.

A glimpse of Kashi in Rome!

Mr. Giampaolo Tomassetti, an Italian painter, presented his work on Varanasi. His passion for Indian culture goes back over four decades. In the 1980’s he started as an illustrator for books on Vedic culture. From 2008 to 2013 he worked on 23 large… pic.twitter.com/tYfLPb8ubC

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 20, 2026

The Italian artist has been closely connected with Indian culture for several decades. He began illustrating books on Vedic culture during the 1980s and later created 23 large paintings based on the Mahabharata between 2008 and 2013.The presentation of the artwork came amid a warm reception accorded to the Prime Minister by the Indian diaspora in Rome, where cultural performances and artistic tributes highlighted the growing cultural engagement between India and Italy.
Expressing gratitude to the Indian community in Italy, PM Modi said he was deeply moved by the affection shown during the visit.“Their deep affection for India and commitment towards strengthening India-Italy ties are truly commendable. The Indian diaspora continues to make our nation proud across the world,” he said in a post on X.

I am very grateful to the Indian community in Italy for the warm welcome in Rome last evening.

Their deep affection for India and commitment towards strengthening India-Italy ties are truly commendable. The Indian diaspora continues to make our nation proud across the world. pic.twitter.com/YK72UPrVzZ

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 20, 2026

The community event featured performances of Indian classical dance forms such as Kathak, Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam by Italian artistes, reflecting the increasing popularity of Indian cultural traditions in Italy.Indian classical music also emerged as a major highlight, with five Italian musicians presenting the Hamsadhwani raag using traditional Indian instruments.

PM Modi praised the performers, including Valerio Bruni on Santoor, Leo Vertunni on Sitar, Simone Mattiello and Nicolo Mellochi on Bansuri, and Francesco Gherardi on Tabla, noting that Indian music and art are gaining wider recognition in Italy.Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the enthusiastic welcome by the Indian diaspora reflected their strong emotional connection with India and underscored the expanding cultural relationship between the two countries.
According to sources, during the visit, PM Modi also held an informal interaction with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni shortly after arriving in Rome. The two leaders exchanged views on a wide range of issues over dinner and during a visit to the iconic Colosseum ahead of formal bilateral talks.Earlier, PM Modi said the visit would focus on strengthening India-Italy cooperation in areas linked to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029.He also announced plans to visit the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization to reaffirm India’s commitment to multilateralism and global food security.Welcoming the Indian Prime Minister to Italy, Giorgia Meloni posted on X, “Welcome to Rome, my friend!”The Ministry of External Affairs described the visit as an important step towards deepening the India-Italy Strategic Partnership and expanding cooperation across multiple sectors, including culture, trade, connectivity and global governance.