Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to deepening its partnership with India, stating that both nations are working toward a future with “more Italy in India and more India in Italy.” His remarks came during a three-day official visit aimed at strengthening political, economic, cultural, and strategic cooperation.

Tajani held extensive discussions with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar in New Delhi, where the two reviewed progress under the India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–29. The framework outlines cooperation across multiple sectors, including defence, maritime security, technology and innovation, trade, space collaboration, and mobility partnerships.

Following the meeting, Tajani posted on X: “In Delhi I had a great meeting with my friend Dr S. Jaishankar. We shared a strategic and future common action to increase our bilateral cooperation. Let’s keep working together to have more Italy in India and more India in Italy!”

EAM Jaishankar also highlighted the breadth of discussions, noting that the ministers reviewed developments in bilateral domains while also exchanging views on regional and global issues. “Also appreciated joint efforts to counter terror-financing,” Jaishankar wrote, adding that the two sides discussed cooperation with the European Union and wider multilateral platforms.

Tajani’s visit comes amid growing convergence between New Delhi and Rome as Italy repositions itself as a stronger Indo-Pacific partner. Over the past few years, Italy has expanded its role in India’s key priority sectors — including clean energy, semiconductor manufacturing, defence technology, and critical infrastructure — reflecting shared strategic interests.

During his stay, Tajani also engaged with Indian cultural and business leaders. In Mumbai, he met Sadhguru, founder of the Isha Foundation, who highlighted the deep civilizational ties between India and Italy. Sadhguru noted that the two countries share a friendship dating back nearly two millennia and welcomed efforts to strengthen political and cultural bonds. He described Una Serata Italiana, a cultural platform promoting India-Italy ties, as an important initiative for expanding people-to-people connection.

Tajani’s Mumbai engagements included a visit to the National Stock Exchange (NSE), where he explored opportunities for collaboration between Italian investors and India’s rapidly growing markets. He is also scheduled to meet Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal to discuss trade expansion, industrial cooperation, and new avenues for Italian companies in India’s manufacturing, mobility, and infrastructure sectors.

Earlier in New Delhi, Tajani met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing the interaction as “very friendly.” He said Italy and India are “strategic partners bound by a growing and solid friendship” and reaffirmed Italy’s support for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) — a transformative connectivity initiative linking Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Tajani stressed that IMEC would create new pathways for economic and cultural links between the two nations.

He also emphasized Italy’s commitment to supporting global peace efforts, including initiatives related to Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East.

Tajani’s visit marks his second trip to India this year, underscoring the momentum in India-Italy relations and both nations’ shared vision for long-term strategic cooperation.