Italian PM Meloni Postpones Asia Tour, Including Bangladesh

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has postponed her scheduled visit to five Asian countries, including Bangladesh, due to her key role in ongoing Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations.

“This is not a cancellation of the tour, but a postponement. She will visit in the near future,” a foreign ministry official said on Thursday night.

Meloni was expected to begin her multi-nation tour later this month, with an official stop in Dhaka on August 30 at the invitation of Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus. She was scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Yunus on August 31.

Her itinerary also included visits to Singapore, Vietnam, Japan, and South Korea.

Diplomatic sources in Rome and Dhaka said the Italian premier is currently unable to travel to Asia as she is playing a central role in NATO negotiations between the United States and Russia over the Ukraine conflict.

The sources further noted that Meloni is also engaged in a European initiative to meet U.S. President Donald Trump during his discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Foreign ministry officials added that Dhaka and Rome will remain in close contact to reschedule the visit at the earliest possible date.