Friday, 6 June 2025
During his two-day visit to Italy, which concluded on June 5, 2025, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal held a high-level meeting in Brescia—Italy’s industrial heartland—with Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.E. Mr. Antonio Tajani. The two leaders jointly chaired the 22nd session of the India-Italy Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation (JCEC).
The 22nd India-Italy Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation (JCEC) witnessed active participation from senior officials, policymakers, and key stakeholders from both nations, marked by a spirit of constructive dialogue and shared ambition. The discussions reaffirmed the strategic economic partnership between India and Italy and aligned with the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–29, aimed at promoting economic resilience, industrial collaboration, and inclusive, sustainable growth.
Both countries agreed to prioritize cooperation in several emerging and strategic areas, including Industry 4.0, aerospace, energy transition, and sustainable mobility. Emphasis was also placed on joint initiatives in skill development, digital innovation, migration and mobility, and connectivity projects like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
The meeting led to several concrete outcomes. India and Italy committed to enhancing collaboration in agriculture and food processing, and agreed to establish Joint Working Groups focused on the automotive and space sectors. Opportunities for cooperation were also identified in areas such as sustainable agri-value chains, agricultural machinery, food packaging, renewable energy, green hydrogen, and biofuels. Both sides expressed a willingness to facilitate the movement of skilled professionals between the two nations.
In parallel with the JCEC, a high-level Growth Forum convened CEOs and business leaders from both countries, creating a valuable platform to explore new business opportunities and industrial partnerships.
A strong Indian business delegation, featuring senior representatives from nearly 90 companies, accompanied Minister Piyush Goyal. The group toured Italian industries and engaged with local businesses, while Shri Goyal held bilateral meetings with top Italian corporate leaders and welcomed their interest in expanding operations in India.
On World Environment Day, Goyal and Antonio visited A2A, a prominent Italian waste-to-energy company in Brescia, highlighting the potential for collaboration in clean energy. In a symbolic gesture under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Ek Ped Maa ke Naam” campaign, both leaders planted saplings in honor of their mothers at the Santa Giulia UNESCO heritage site.
Piyush Goyal’s visit played a key role in showcasing the growth potential of the Indian economy and further deepening bilateral commercial and economic ties between India and Italy.
