New Delhi, May 6 : External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had a productive meeting with visiting Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio on Friday during which the two sides discussed collaboration with the EU for improving trade, energy and green transition, and also exchanged views on the Ukraine conflict and the Indo-Pacific. The two sides agreed that the increasing interest of Italian companies in Make in India and transfer of technology will enhance the bilateral relationship. They also discussed their expanding cooperation in cyber security, Science and Technology and space sectors. The EAM said in tweets: “A warm and productive meeting with FM @luigidimaio of Italy. Noted our expanding cooperation in cyber security, S&T and space sectors. “Agreed that increasing interest of Italian companies in @makeinindia & transfer of technology will further advance our bilateral relationship. “Also discussed collaboration with the EU for improving trade, energy and green transition. “Exchanged views on the Ukraine conflict and its knock-on effects, Covid and the Indo-Pacific.” The two ministers also reviewed the progress in implementation of the Action Plan 2020-24 launched at the Virtual Summit in November 2020. The Italian Minister is on an official visit to India, accompanied by a high level official and business delegation. This is his first visit to India. Minister Di Maio is to also meet with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and co-chair a business round-table. Before reaching Delhi, Minister Di Maio was in Bengaluru. India and Italy enjoy long standing, friendly relations which have witnessed a fresh momentum in recent years with the successful Virtual Summit in November 2020 and the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Italy in October 2021 where both countries announced a Strategic Partnership on Energy Transition. India-Italy ties, which had taken a backseat over the Italian Marines issue have once again taken an upward turn, especially with Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi taking a personal interest in pushing forward the ties.
