The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon\u2019ble Antonio Tajani, paid an official visit to India on 10\u201311 December, just a few months after his previous mission on 11\u201312 April. The visit took place within the framework of the Strategic Partnership launched in 2023 and the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025\u20132029 adopted in November 2024 by Prime Minister Meloni and Prime Minister Modi.<\/p>\n
POLITICAL DIALOGUE<\/strong><\/p>\n In New Delhi, Hon\u2019ble Minister Tajani held productive meetings with Hon\u2019ble Prime Minister Narendra\u00a0Modi<\/strong>, with Hon\u2019ble Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam\u00a0Jaishankar<\/strong>, with National Security Advisor Shri Ajit\u00a0Doval<\/strong>, and with the Hon\u2019ble Minister of Sports Mansukh\u00a0Mandaviya<\/strong>. In Mumbai, he met with the Hon\u2019ble Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush\u00a0Goyal<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The talks confirmed the growing intensity of political dialogue between the two countries and a broad convergence on major international and regional issues, in support of peace and the stabilization of crisis areas.<\/p>\n Italy reaffirmed its commitment to a rightful peace in Ukraine and its position in favor of a two-state solution in the Middle East. Significant attention was also devoted to the Indo-Pacific region and to the opportunities linked to the IMEC corridor.<\/p>\n At the bilateral level, the results of the Strategic Action Plan were reviewed, identifying priority areas and issues of common interest on which to intensify cooperation and achieve tangible outcomes.<\/p>\n Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accepted the invite of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to travel to Italy in 2026.<\/p>\n ECONOMY, TRADE, INVESTMENT<\/strong><\/p>\n The\u00a0third Italy\u2013India Business Forum<\/strong>\u00a0of the year took place in Mumbai, India\u2019s economic capital. Around 200 Italian and Indian companies joined in, engaging in B2B meetings, company visits, pitching sessions, and sectoral roundtables across four sectors: automotive components, agrifood, waste-to-energy, and sports technologies.<\/p>\n Deputy Prime Minister Tajani emphasized the goal of increasing bilateral trade (target: \u20ac20 billion by 2029) and investments, particularly from India towards Italy.<\/p>\n On the sidelines of the Forum, Minister Tajani and Minister Goyal signed the minutes of the 22nd session of the\u00a0Joint Strategic Economic Committee<\/strong>, held in Brescia on 4 June. India represents Italy\u2019s second-largest trading partner in Asia and a priority market under the Export Plan launched by the head of the Italian Foreign Ministry.<\/p>\n SIMEST and SACE measures supporting Italian companies interested in investing in India were highlighted, and a reduction in the burdens affecting Italian companies\u2019 access to the Indian market was encouraged in view of the EU\u2013India Free Trade Agreement.<\/p>\n Several announcements and agreements were reached between companies and economic operators.\u00a0SIMEST and the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC)<\/strong>\u00a0signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen support for Italian companies expanding in India, promote bilateral investment, and enhance economic cooperation by facilitating business activities.<\/p>\n SAIL awarded three major steel plant projects to the Italian group\u00a0, which will supply cutting-edge green technologies for a blast furnace, a continuous slab casting plant, and a hot rolling mill, with a total capacity exceeding 4 million tons per year and a contract value of approximately \u20ac500 million.<\/p>\n PRADA<\/strong>\u00a0S.p.A., LIDCOM, and LIDKAR signed an MoU for the creation of a limited-edition sandal line inspired by traditional Kolhapuri chappals, combining Italian design with Indian craftsmanship.<\/p>\n Kuvera S.p.A. and Neopolis Brands Pvt. Ltd. signed an agreement to expand\u00a0Carpisa<\/strong>\u2019s retail operations in India, with a long-term plan to open 100 stores by 2045.<\/p>\n Cavagna Group<\/strong>\u00a0established a new joint venture, Cavagna Group Ace Brass Tech Pvt. Ltd., together with Mr. Gatayla, marking an Italian investment of \u20ac5 million, with Cavagna holding a 51% stake.<\/p>\n INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY<\/strong><\/p>\n Italy and India will launch a bilateral\u00a0innovation<\/strong>\u00a0initiative: a center will be created for structured dialogue among start-ups, companies, research centers, and universities from both countries. It will serve as a platform to promote the mobility of skills and talent and to foster joint projects in AI, quantum technologies, digital, biotech, and other sectors.<\/p>\n During the Forum, Minister Tajani and Minister Goyal met the founders of around\u00a030 Indian unicorns<\/strong>\u00a0(start-ups valued at over $1 billion). The organization of a dedicated meeting on start-ups and innovation in Rome in 2026 was also discussed.<\/p>\n FINANCE<\/strong><\/p>\n In India\u2019s financial capital, Deputy Prime Minister Tajani also visited the\u00a0National Stock Exchange<\/strong>, where a dialogue was initiated among funds, venture capital firms, and financial stakeholders. Finance can make an important contribution to supporting the economy and innovation.<\/p>\n SECURITY AND DEFENSE<\/strong><\/p>\n There was a shared willingness to deepen cooperation in\u00a0countering the financing of international terrorism<\/strong>, the subject of a specific joint initiative launched by Prime Ministers Modi and Meloni on the margins of the G20 Summit. Italy and India will further develop dialogue on maritime security. Commitment was confirmed to swiftly finalize new cooperation agreements between the respective police authorities and financial police for information sharing and the fight against illicit trafficking. The commitment to promote joint ventures and co-production programs in defense systems was reaffirmed.<\/p>\n CONNECTIVITY<\/strong><\/p>\n The ambition to give tangible implementation to the\u00a0IMEC<\/strong>\u00a0project was shared. Italy and India will deepen cooperation on logistics and port connectivity. A corridor with fast-track procedures will facilitate customs processes and cargo tracking.<\/p>\n The exchange will involve not only goods, but also people: Italy and India will work more closely on education and mobility. A shared aspiration was expressed for a growing presence of the Italian language in Indian schools and universities.<\/p>\n CULTURE AND SPORT<\/strong><\/p>\n Culture played a central role. A historic result was achieved at UNESCO with the\u00a0inclusion of Italian cuisine on the list of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage<\/strong>, a milestone reached precisely during Deputy Prime Minister Tajani\u2019s visit to New Delhi.<\/p>\n Also in the Indian capital, Tajani inaugurated the exhibition\u00a0Shared Stories<\/em><\/strong>: a selection of exclusive works from prestigious Italian museums aimed at highlighting the dialogue and mutual cultural influence over the centuries between the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean.<\/p>\n Attention was also given to India\u2019s upcoming return to the Venice Art Biennale in 2026, with a national pavilion. Present in New Delhi during these days was also the exhibition\u00a0Interno Indiano<\/em>, curated by the Historical Archives of the Venice Biennale and featuring five Indian artists.<\/p>\n Looking ahead, the organization of a major exhibition on the links between India and Rome in the respective capitals was discussed.<\/p>\n Sport also featured prominently. In the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Tajani and Minister of Sports Mandaviya, the two National Olympic Committees signed a\u00a0Memorandum of Understanding<\/strong>\u00a0to promote joint initiatives, the exchange of best practices, closer ties between sports federations, and greater business opportunities between sports industries.<\/p>\n During the evening reception, enhanced by an Italian dinner prepared by Italian chef Gianni Tarabini, celebrations were held for the recognition of Italian cuisine, with strong emphasis on promoting the Milan\u2013Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.<\/p>\n The visit confirms the shared desire to have \u201cmore Italy in India and more India in Italy\u201d: to further consolidate a comprehensive strategic partnership based on economic growth, innovation, security, and cultural cooperation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon\u2019ble Antonio Tajani, paid an official visit to India on 10\u201311 December, just a few months after his previous mission on 11\u201312 April. 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