Italy’s Deputy PM Supports Early EU-India Trade Deal

Antonio Tajani, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister, confirmed his nation’s support for a rapid finalisation of the Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union.

His statement came after a series of meetings in New York with India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal.

Tajani emphasised that Italy considers India a priority partner under its #PianoExport initiative, pledging 500 million euros to support Italian companies exporting to India.

During the discussions, Tajani reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to deepening both political and economic cooperation with India.

“Italy and India share a strategic partnership that we intend to strengthen further, including through a visit to India in the coming months,” he said.

The FTA is expected to enhance trade flows, promote investment, and strengthen long-term economic collaboration between the EU and India.

Bilateral and Multilateral Engagements

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted that the meetings also covered regional and global developments, including the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Ukraine, and the Indo-Pacific.

He noted that progress in bilateral ties was a key focus, alongside discussions with other diplomatic leaders, such as Britain’s newly appointed Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.

The discussions also revisited the outcomes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s July visit to the UK, which resulted in the announcement of the India-UK Vision 2035—a ten-year roadmap for cooperation in defence, job creation, cutting-edge technologies, and education partnerships, complementing the EU-India trade dialogue.

EAM Jaishankar met with a host of foreign ministers during his New York visit, including Penny Wong of Australia, Carlos Ramiro Martínez of Guatemala, Badr Abdelatty of Egypt, Mohamad Haji Hasan of Malaysia, Arnoldo André of Costa Rica, and Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez of Panama.

These engagements reflected India’s ongoing efforts to strengthen multilateral relations while pursuing strategic trade agreements such as the EU-India FTA.

Italy’s endorsement will accelerate EU-India Free Trade Agreement negotiations and boost confidence among European and Indian businesses.

The FTA promises to enhance economic growth, facilitate market access, and strengthen ties between India and the EU, reinforcing India’s position as a key partner in Europe’s strategic and economic priorities.

Tajani’s visit underscores Italy’s commitment to supporting bilateral trade initiatives, ensuring that the planned FTA can deliver substantial benefits for businesses, investors, and the broader populations of both regions.

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