India to push for NSG membership in talks with Italian PM

New Delhi, Oct 30: India is likely to press for Italian support for its membership in the elite Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG) and also seek the support at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting to corner Pakistan over terror funding. Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni arrived here on Sunday on a two-day state visit to India, the first such visit in a decade. Among other issues, New Delhi is likely to raise with the visiting Italian Prime Minister and the official delegation the issue of terror funding. The crucial FATF meeting also begins on Monday in Buenos Aires in Argentina where India has been pushing for tough measures against Pakistan on terror funding issues. Diplomatic ties between India and Italy had suffered minor hit following the February 2012 firing by two Italian marines, Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, from MV Enrica Lexie,killing two Indian fishermen off Kerala. Romano Prodi was the last Italian Prime Minister to visit India in February 2007. “Coming after a gap of more than a decade, the visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral, political and economic relations between the two countries,” the MEA said in a statement. The bilateral trade would also figure prominently during the parleys. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold delegation-level talks with Mr Gentiloni on Monday. While External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is likely to call on the Italian PM. Mr Gentiloni will also call on President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu. Mr Gentiloni is also scheduled to deliver a lecture at the Observer Research Foundation on Monday evening. Italy’s support for India’s candidature at the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in 2016 was an important chapter in collaboration between two countries. India’s bid for membership at the NSG continues to be scuttled by repeated opposition from China. UNI