External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held productive talks on Friday with visiting Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Minister of University and Research Anna Maria Bernini in New Delhi. The leaders jointly reviewed the growing India-Italy bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, maritime security, research, technology, education, and culture.

Jaishankar shared on X, “Our partnership continues to develop and evolve guided by the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–29 agreed by our leadership. Also exchanged views on contemporary global developments including in Europe, Mediterranean, and West Asia.”

The meeting builds on the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029, which was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni during their summit in Rio in November 2024. The plan outlines a shared vision to deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries through sectoral cooperation and innovation.

Speaking at the India-Italy Business, Science and Technology Forum, Jaishankar emphasized Italy’s importance as a strategic partner for India. “Whether it is energy, transport, food processing, or light engineering, there’s natural complementarity,” he said, adding that India is also extending its influence westwards in the Indo-Pacific.

Highlighting connectivity, Jaishankar referred to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), also known in Italy as the Cotton Road, as a key project launched during India’s G20 Presidency. “It makes sense to connect what Italy is doing in the Mediterranean with what India is doing in the Arabian Sea,” he said, pointing to mutual benefits in trade, energy, and communication networks.