South Asia

Italian PM Meloni likely to visit Bangladesh in August

Published: 14:13, 21 July 2025

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is expected to make an official visit to Bangladesh in the final week of August, as both countries work toward strengthening cooperation in key areas including migration, labor, and economic development.

Diplomatic sources have confirmed that discussions are underway between Rome and Dhaka to finalize the details of the visit. The trip, if confirmed, would mark a significant step forward in expanding strategic and economic ties between the two nations.
The development follows the recent visit of Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi to Dhaka earlier this month. During his meetings, Piantedosi conveyed Italy’s interest in recruiting more Bangladeshi workers and emphasized Rome’s commitment to ensuring safe and regulated migration. He also told Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus that Prime Minister Meloni is planning to visit Bangladesh before September to reinforce bilateral cooperation.
In response, Prof Yunus welcomed Italy’s openness and reiterated Bangladesh’s willingness to collaborate on curbing illegal migration and addressing human trafficking. “Bangladeshis living in Italy deeply value the hospitality and fair treatment they receive,” he noted.
Italy currently hosts one of the largest Bangladeshi communities in Europe, and both governments have expressed interest in expanding legal migration channels while taking joint steps to prevent irregular flows.
Prime Minister Meloni and Prof Yunus last met during the high-level segment of the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York in September 2023. At that meeting, Meloni reaffirmed Italy’s support for Bangladesh’s reform efforts aimed at improving socioeconomic conditions. Both sides also explored pathways to boost legal migration, enhance cooperation on returns, and finalize a long-pending bilateral agreement to manage migration flows more effectively.
If the August visit goes ahead as planned, it would be Meloni’s first official trip to South Asia since taking office in 2022.