Innovation, AI, super computers, space technology, defence are key areas for joint partnerships between India-Italy: Antonio Tajani, Deputy PM, Italy
New Delhi: Italy-India Business, Science and Technology Forum is an opportunity to collectively resolve to implement the Joint Strategic Action plan 2025-29: Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry, GoI
NEW DELHI, 11 April 2025: HE Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation of Italy today while addressing the ‘Italy-India Business, Science and Technology Forum’ said that this forum is part of the strategic partnership plan signed by both the governments. “India is an important country for stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Stability is crucial to strengthen the trade,” he emphasized.
Dr S Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs, Government of India said that the direction of India’s progress and capabilities of Italian industry make for a good combination. “Make In India, today offers a platform or pathway for that collaboration to unfold,” he added.
He further stated that India has been working with like-minded partners to build a resilient and trusted partnerships that we need now to address not only our economic but strategic priorities as well and for us, Italy ranks high in that list. Dr Jaishankar also added that there are natural complementarities in many sectors including energy, transport, food processing, light engineering which both nations need to exploit. “Italy has the technologies and best practices that could make such collaboration more fruitful,” he asserted.
Dr Jaishankar stated that the landmark initiative of ‘India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor’, will create a global access for economics, energy resources and communications. “India is not just growing, the nature of growth itself undergoing a shift,” he added. This is now a society focused on innovation and creativity where start-ups, AI, EVs, Drones, space and nano technologies are growing and will be the drivers of growth in future.
Mr Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Government of India said there is further scope for expansion in the bilateral trade between India and Italy if we work seamless with each other, encourage investments, promote businesses without roadblocks.
Mr Goyal further stated that Indian economy is slated to grow from $4 trillion to $30-35 trillion by 2047, our goal of Viksit Bharat makes India a compelled case to deepen the engagement between the European Union and India, particularly Italy and India. There are untapped newer areas like fashion, luxury goods, food processing, pharmaceuticals, tourism, green technology, advanced manufacturing, automobiles,” he emphasized.
Mr Goyal added that amidst all the global challenges that the world is experiencing, it is very reassuring to see the strength and depth of the Italy-India friendship. “This forum is a very timely platform and a good opportunity for all of us to collectively resolve to implement the Joint Strategic Action plan 2025-29 launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in November of 2024. It is a very forward-looking, ambitious and pragmatic roadmap with a strong focus on trade, investment, innovation,” he added.
