‘Hard Work Is the Key to Success’: Italian PM Meloni Speaks in Hindi, Highlights Strong India Ties

Rome- Emphasising the growing momentum in India-Italy relations, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday referred to the popular Hindi proverb “Parishram hi safalta ki kunji hai” (hard work is the key to success) while underlining the importance of dedication and consistency in building strong bilateral ties.

Addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after their talks in Rome, Meloni said, “There is an Indian word which expresses this very well — ‘Parishram’. Parishram means hard work and constant commitment. It is a word widely used in India, especially in the popular saying, ‘Parishram hi safalta ki kunji hai’, which means ‘hard work is the key to success’. This is how we build our relations too — through hard work that eventually turns into success.”

Meloni also thanked Prime Minister Modi and said that his visit to Italy would open a new chapter in bilateral relations. She added that the visit would certainly not be the last step in the long journey both countries are building together with strong commitment and determination.

Hindi’s Growing Global Resonance

Prime Minister Modi’s five-nation visit once again highlighted India’s growing global influence and the increasing cultural resonance of Hindi expressions among world leaders, reflecting the country’s expanding diplomatic and soft-power reach.

Earlier on Tuesday, Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir also expressed her admiration for the Hindi word “Sambandh”, which PM Modi repeatedly used during his interaction with Nordic leaders at the third India-Nordic Summit in Oslo.

Addressing a joint media briefing after the summit, Frostadottir said, “I love that word, ‘Sambandh’. It is actually a purely Icelandic word as well, and people are deeply connected to this language. Prime Minister Modi, this is what people need today — more ‘Sambandh’.”

Earlier, PM Modi had also reflected on the significance of the word during his address.

“Today, I used the word ‘Sambandh’ many times. In several Nordic languages, the word means connection, relations or a bond. In Hindi too, ‘Sambandh’ carries the same meaning. This is not merely a similarity of words; it reflects the closeness of our thoughts,” Modi said.

He added that India and the Nordic nations should deepen their bonds in every field and make the India-Nordic partnership a model of shared prosperity, innovation and a sustainable future.

With inputs from IANS