Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal, held a high-level meeting with Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani, in Brescia—Italy’s manufacturing hub, where they stressed the importance of initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

The two leaders co-chaired the 22nd session of the India-Italy Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation (JCEC), during his 2-day visit to Italy, which concluded on June 5.

The JCEC saw robust participation from senior officials, policymakers, and stakeholders from both sides in a spirit of constructive engagement and mutual ambition.

The dialogue reaffirmed the strategic economic partnership between the two nations and aligns with the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–29 to promote economic resilience, industrial partnerships, and inclusive, sustainable growth.

India and Italy agreed to prioritise cooperation in several emerging and strategic sectors. These include Industry 4.0, aerospace, energy transition, and sustainable mobility.

"The two sides also stressed the importance of joint efforts in skill development, digital transformation, migration and mobility, as well as global connectivity initiatives such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)," read a statement issued by the Indian government.

Several concrete outcomes emerged from JCEC

India and Italy resolved to strengthen cooperation in agriculture and food processing, and to set up Joint Working Groups in the automobile and space sectors.

Both sides identified collaboration opportunities in sustainable agri-value chains, agri-machinery, food packaging technologies, and renewable energy.

They also agreed to work together in areas such as green hydrogen and biofuels and expressed intent to facilitate movement of skilled professionals between the two countries.

On the sidelines of the JCEC, a high-level Growth Forum was organised, bringing together CEOs and industry leaders from both countries.

The platform proved valuable in identifying emerging business opportunities and industrial collaborations of mutual interest.

A strong Indian business delegation comprising top leadership from nearly 90 companies accompanied the Minister during the visit.

The delegation visited Italian industries and held several meetings with local companies.

Goyal also held one-on-one interactions with Italian corporate leaders and welcomed their plans to expand operations, manufacturing, or office presence in India.

On the occasion of World Environment Day, Goyal and Deputy Prime Minister Tajani visited A2A, a leading Italian waste-to-energy company in Brescia.

The visit highlighted opportunities for collaboration in the clean energy sector. In a symbolic gesture under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Ek Ped Maa ke Naam” initiative, both leaders planted saplings in memory of their mothers at the Santa Giulia UNESCO heritage complex.

Piyush Goyal’s visit was instrumental in highlighting the growth and opportunities in the Indian economy, and further enriching growing bilateral commercial and economic linkages.