India and Italy on Thursday signed the protocol of the India–Italy Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation (JCEC), setting a detailed roadmap to deepen their growing economic partnership. The protocol was formalised during a meeting between India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani.
Announcing the development on X, Goyal said both sides also witnessed the conclusion of multiple industry agreements across diverse sectors. He emphasised the importance of enhancing bilateral trade, attracting greater investments, strengthening industrial linkages and utilising the broader India–EU partnership to unlock new business opportunities.
The signing followed the India-Italy Business Forum held in Mumbai on December 11 during Tajani’s visit. Goyal noted that this was the third major business engagement between the two nations within eight months—an indicator of the accelerating economic momentum. He reiterated that India and Italy are actively pushing forward negotiations on the India–EU Free Trade Agreement, which aims to create fresh pathways for collaboration and growth.
Goyal highlighted the ongoing Italy–India Joint Strategic Action Plan, which focuses on trade, investment, research, innovation and broader people-to-people exchange. He identified auto components, textiles and leather goods as key sectors for cooperation, while pointing to increasing Indian interest in areas such as R&D, technology, sports goods, defence, space, agriculture and food processing. He also underlined India’s rising emphasis on sports, citing preparations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and a planned bid for the 2036 Olympics.
Speaking at the forum, Tajani described India as a vital economic partner and stressed the need for stronger cooperation in innovation, research and education. He said Italy is targeting 700 billion euros in exports by 2027 and sees India as central to achieving that goal. Tajani noted strong Italian corporate presence in India and expressed interest in expanding bilateral investments and industrial ties.
.jpg)
