The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon’ble Antonio Tajani, paid an official visit to India on 10–11 December, just a few months after his previous mission on 11–12 April. The visit took place within the framework of the Strategic Partnership launched in 2023 and the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029 adopted in November 2024 by Prime Minister Meloni and Prime Minister Modi.
POLITICAL DIALOGUE
In New Delhi, Hon’ble Minister Tajani held productive meetings with Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, with National Security Advisor Shri Ajit Doval, and with the Hon’ble Minister of Sports Mansukh Mandaviya. In Mumbai, he met with the Hon’ble Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal.
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.
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.
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.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accepted the invite of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to travel to Italy in 2026.
ECONOMY, TRADE, INVESTMENT
The third Italy–India Business Forum of the year took place in Mumbai, India’s 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.
Deputy Prime Minister Tajani emphasized the goal of increasing bilateral trade (target: €20 billion by 2029) and investments, particularly from India towards Italy.
On the sidelines of the Forum, Minister Tajani and Minister Goyal signed the minutes of the 22nd session of the Joint Strategic Economic Committee, held in Brescia on 4 June. India represents Italy’s second-largest trading partner in Asia and a priority market under the Export Plan launched by the head of the Italian Foreign Ministry.
SIMEST and SACE measures supporting Italian companies interested in investing in India were highlighted, and a reduction in the burdens affecting Italian companies’ access to the Indian market was encouraged in view of the EU–India Free Trade Agreement.
Several announcements and agreements were reached between companies and economic operators. SIMEST and the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen support for Italian companies expanding in India, promote bilateral investment, and enhance economic cooperation by facilitating business activities.
SAIL awarded three major steel plant projects to the Italian group , 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 €500 million.
PRADA S.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.
Kuvera S.p.A. and Neopolis Brands Pvt. Ltd. signed an agreement to expand Carpisa’s retail operations in India, with a long-term plan to open 100 stores by 2045.
Cavagna Group established a new joint venture, Cavagna Group Ace Brass Tech Pvt. Ltd., together with Mr. Gatayla, marking an Italian investment of €5 million, with Cavagna holding a 51% stake.
INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Italy and India will launch a bilateral innovation initiative: 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.
During the Forum, Minister Tajani and Minister Goyal met the founders of around 30 Indian unicorns (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.
FINANCE
In India’s financial capital, Deputy Prime Minister Tajani also visited the National Stock Exchange, 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.
SECURITY AND DEFENSE
There was a shared willingness to deepen cooperation in countering the financing of international terrorism, 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.
CONNECTIVITY
The ambition to give tangible implementation to the IMEC project 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.
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.
CULTURE AND SPORT
Culture played a central role. A historic result was achieved at UNESCO with the inclusion of Italian cuisine on the list of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, a milestone reached precisely during Deputy Prime Minister Tajani’s visit to New Delhi.
Also in the Indian capital, Tajani inaugurated the exhibition Shared Stories: 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.
Attention was also given to India’s upcoming return to the Venice Art Biennale in 2026, with a national pavilion. Present in New Delhi during these days was also the exhibition Interno Indiano, curated by the Historical Archives of the Venice Biennale and featuring five Indian artists.
Looking ahead, the organization of a major exhibition on the links between India and Rome in the respective capitals was discussed.
Sport also featured prominently. In the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Tajani and Minister of Sports Mandaviya, the two National Olympic Committees signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote joint initiatives, the exchange of best practices, closer ties between sports federations, and greater business opportunities between sports industries.
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–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
The visit confirms the shared desire to have “more Italy in India and more India in Italy”: to further consolidate a comprehensive strategic partnership based on economic growth, innovation, security, and cultural cooperation.
