India, Italy reinforce strategic partnership during Deputy PM Antonio Tajani’s visit
NEW DELHI. Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani, concluded a two-day official visit to India from April 11 to 12, aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation across a wide spectrum of sectors. He was accompanied by Anna Maria Bernini, Italy’s Minister of University and Research, along with a high-level delegation comprising business leaders, and representatives from top universities and research institutions.
During his visit, Tajani held delegation-level talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The two leaders reviewed the expanding bilateral cooperation under the Joint Strategic Action Plan (JSAP) 2025–2029. Their discussions covered key areas including trade and investment, defence and security, clean energy, science and technology, space, digital innovation, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
Both sides expressed satisfaction at the momentum of high-level exchanges and acknowledged the vast potential for collaboration in frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence, cyber and telecom sectors, renewable energy, biofuels, and youth mobility. The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to achieving concrete outcomes under the JSAP and further elevating the bilateral strategic partnership.
Tajani also met with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and called on the President of India. Minister Bernini held meetings with the Ministers of State for Science and Technology and Education, exploring avenues for academic and research collaboration.
The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on regional and global issues of shared interest. Jaishankar welcomed Italy’s continued engagement in the Indo-Pacific and its recent appointment of a Special Envoy for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), underscoring both countries’ shared commitment to advancing this key strategic initiative.
In a major step to boost bilateral business and technology collaboration, Tajani, Bernini, Jaishankar, and Commerce Minister Goyal co-chaired the inaugural India-Italy Business, Science and Tech Forum. The event brought together over 100 Italian companies and their Indian counterparts across four key sectors: Industry 4.0, infrastructure and logistics, clean energy, and aerospace and defence. Numerous B2B meetings were held to promote joint ventures and innovation-led partnerships.
Complementing the business engagements, an Education, Science and Technology Innovation Forum was also organised, with university heads and research leaders from both countries discussing enhanced cooperation in higher education, research, and innovation. A memorandum of understanding was signed between India’s Ministry of Science and Technology and Italy’s Ministry of University and Research to promote joint scientific research.
On the cultural front, Jaishankar and Tajani visited a painting by 17th-century Italian master Caravaggio at the Italian Cultural Centre. The visit also marked the inauguration of exhibitions on Roman mosaics and Italian textiles, adding a vibrant cultural dimension to the visit.
The visit signals growing momentum in India-Italy relations, marked by deeper ministerial dialogues and stronger collaboration under the JSAP framework. It further consolidated the strategic partnership and opened new avenues for cooperation in innovation, education, business, and culture.
