The recent “Italy-India Scientific and Technological Business Forum,” held in New Delhi on April 10th and 11th, 2025, with the significant presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani, represented a crucial strategic moment to strengthen the economic and industrial relations between the two countries. The primary objective of the event was to support and reinforce business ties between Italy and India, bringing together Italian and Indian businesses and institutions for two days of intensive work aimed at exploring concrete opportunities for the development of economic-commercial and scientific-technological relations. The Forum convened the entrepreneurial, institutional, and academic worlds with the aim of fostering dialogue and collaboration between the two nations.

Day 1: Thematic Roundtables to Explore Opportunities

The first day of the Forum (April 10th) was dedicated to specific thematic roundtables, providing a platform for in-depth discussions and the exchange of ideas in key sectors:

• Industry and Agriculture 4.0
• Energy Transition
• Recycling and Green Tech
• Infrastructure, Mobility and Smart Cities
• New Age Technologies – Aerospace, New & Advanced Materials, AI, Quantum Tech, Cyber Security
• Innovation & Start up – Accelerators, Investors / Private Equity, Joint Ventures, Research Institutions & Universities

Day 2: Plenary Session & B2B Meetings

The second day (April 11th) featured a high-level plenary session with the participation of prominent institutional figures, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Antonio Tajani, and the Minister of Universities and Research, Hon. Anna Maria Bernini. From the Indian side, the India’s External Affairs Minister, Hon. Dr. S. Jaishankar, and Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry of India, participated.

Representatives from key Italian agencies and business associations, including ITA – Italian Trade Agency President – Matteo Zoppas, Barbara Cimmino Vice Presidente per l’Export e l’Attrazione degli Investimenti di Confindustria, SACE CEO – Alessandra Ricci, SIMEST CEO – Regina Corradini D’Arienzo, and Franciosi Laurent – HoD International Development CDP Cassa Depositi e Prestiti presented insights into potential collaborations. Their contributions underscored Italy’s commitment to fostering strong economic and technological ties with India. The plenary session was followed by scheduled B2B meetings.

This event marks the beginning of a structured path, destined to further consolidate bilateral ties through integrated industrial collaborations, skills transfer, and synergies between businesses and universities. This forum not only reinforced the strong bilateral ties but also set the stage for future collaborations that will benefit both nations.