Italian Deputy PM Antonio Tajani visits India to boost strategic, economic partnership
New Delhi, December 12. Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani concluded a two-day visit to India on December 11, accompanied by a high-profile 50-member business delegation, signalling renewed momentum in India-Italy ties. This was Tajani’s second trip to India in 2025, following his April visit for the inaugural India-Italy Business, Science and Technology Forum.
Tajani’s visit came shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg last month, where both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation.
In New Delhi, Tajani called on Prime Minister Modi and held meetings with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. Modi conveyed his greetings to Meloni and welcomed the strong upward trajectory in India–Italy relations.
During delegation-level talks, Jaishankar and Tajani reviewed progress under the Joint Strategic Action Plan (2025-29), noting advancements across trade, defence and security, counter-terrorism, space, science and technology, energy, education, and people-to-people ties. Both sides pushed for swift implementation of their Joint Initiative to Counter Financing of Terrorism, reiterating India’s zero-tolerance policy on the issue. They also discussed plans to establish a Maritime Security Dialogue and strengthen cooperation on mobility and skill development, especially in healthcare.
The two ministers also exchanged views on regional and global developments, including the Indo-Pacific, Ukraine, and the Middle East.
Tajani’s meeting with NSA Doval focused on security cooperation and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), with both sides reaffirming their commitment to advance the project.
On December 11 in Mumbai, Tajani and Minister Goyal co-chaired the India–Italy Business Forum, exploring ways to expand and diversify trade and investment. Several sector-specific business engagements were held during the visit, covering automotive, renewables, waste-to-energy, sports technology, agri-food, and connectivity. The ministers also met Indian unicorn founders to discuss the India-Italy Innovation Initiative.
With sustained high-level exchanges and growing private-sector engagement, the India-Italy strategic partnership continues to broaden and deepen, reflecting a shared commitment to elevating bilateral ties.
