Italy calls India a ‘Priority Partner’ as Deputy PM Tajani launches third business forum in Mumbai

Calling India a “long-trusted friend” and a “priority country” for Italy, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Wednesday underlined Rome’s growing political and economic commitment to New Delhi. Tajani, who is on an official visit to Mumbai, co-chaired the third Italy–India Business Forum within a year alongside Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.

Top companies from sectors including automotive, agri-food, waste-to-energy, and sports technology participated in B2B meetings and sectoral roundtables aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and investment. “With my visit, I intend to bring more Italy to India and more India to Italy,” Tajani said, highlighting India’s rapid economic growth, technological capabilities, and expanding market.

Tajani noted that Italy recently reorganised its foreign ministry under a dual political-economic structure and unveiled a new Export Plan placing India among its central focus areas. Italy is aiming not just to increase exports, he said, but also to boost industrial collaborations, joint ventures, and co-production projects. “More trade also means more investments, both ways,” he added.

According to Tajani, Italian investments in India rose by €500 million this year, reflecting growing corporate interest. Italy’s foreign ministry agency, SIMEST, has launched a €500-million dedicated financing line to support Italian firms entering India and forming joint ventures, while Italy’s Export Credit Agency has increased its exposure to India by €200 million, in addition to over €2 billion in guarantees already issued.

With EU–India free trade agreement negotiations nearing completion, Italy reiterated support for an “ambitious and mutually beneficial” pact that could provide greater opportunities for businesses, especially small and medium enterprises.

Tajani and Goyal also launched Innovit India , a new collaborative platform aimed at fostering innovation partnerships between start-ups, companies, universities, and research clusters in emerging sectors such as AI, quantum technology, biotech, and big data.

The Italian leader emphasised that India and Italy share historical links tracing back to the Indo-Mediterranean trade routes of the Roman era. Today, he said, the two nations are collaborating on connectivity projects involving ports, logistics, and undersea digital links.

Both governments are working under a joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029 , and Tajani said his visit marks “another step in a long and promising journey of friendship and collaboration.”