Indian Ambassador Vani Sarraju Rao, Deloitte Italy CEO Fabio Pompei, and Director General for the Promotion of the Italian System Mauro Battocchi took part in the discussion alongside numerous representatives from the business and institutional worlds. Maggioni: “Events like these are an antidote to global tensions.”
“Our goal is to reach 700 billion euros in exports by 2027, and India is a fundamental partner in achieving this target.” With these words, Mauro Battocchi, Director General for the Promotion of the Italian System at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), outlined the challenges of economic cooperation between the two countries during the event Italy & India: Partnering for a Shared Future, held on January 21 in Rome.
The initiative, organized by Deloitte in collaboration with the International Strategic Network (ISN) and Associated Medias Press Agency (AMPA), marked the first appointment in the Institutional Breakfast series, designed to strengthen ties between Italy and major emerging economies. Among the key speakers was the Ambassador of India to Italy, Vani Sarraju Rao, who recalled that the Indian economy is among the most dynamic in the world, adding that “with a population of 1.8 billion people, mostly young, the priority is to create jobs and growth, and cooperation with Italy is essential in this context.” Fabio Pompei, CEO of Deloitte Italy, also emphasized the strategic relevance of relations between Italy and India: “this is not a future prospect,” he explained, “but a reality that is already underway.”
The event provided an important opportunity to launch the Italy–India Joint Action Plan 2025–2029 and to take stock of progress in negotiations for a free trade agreement between India and the European Union. During the roundtable discussion, a paper presented by Deloitte highlighted the vast potential for cooperation in sectors such as artificial intelligence, the bioeconomy, infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing. According to estimates, the latter alone could account for more than 25% of India’s GDP by 2035, generating over 100 million jobs by 2047.
Businesses at the Center of the Institutional Breakfast
Moderated by RAI journalist Monica Maggioni, the event took place at the Associazione Civita venue in Piazza Venezia and brought together a high-level roundtable of institutional and diplomatic representatives, including Ambassadors Giovanni Castellaneta and Francesco Maria Talò, as well as leading figures from the business world. Among them were Andrea Poggi, Head of Public Policy and Stakeholder Relations Centre at Deloitte Central Mediterranean, and Alessandro De Luca, Head of Public Policy and Stakeholder Relations Centre at Deloitte Italy.
Other participants included Francesca Alicata, Head of Institutional Relations at SIMEST; Massimiliano Ambra, Head of Global Business Development at FS International; Enrico Maria Bagnasco, CEO of Telecom Italia Sparkle; Lorenzo Berneri, Head of Communications at SIMEST; Caterina Bivona, Head of Transportation & Services at AlmavivA; Vittorio de Pedys, President of SIMEST; Enrico Della Gatta, Vice President Defence Market Business Intelligence at Fincantieri; Sabrina Di Giorgio, Head of Public Affairs Asia, CEE, MedLATAM, Switzerland at Generali; and Marco Felisati, Director of International Affairs at Confindustria.
Also taking part in the roundtable were Laurent Franciosi, Head of International Markets at Cassa Depositi e Prestiti; Paolo Mascarino, President of Federalimentare and Ferrero; Paolo Melone, Senior Director Marketing and Business Development at Intesa Sanpaolo; Francesco Mele, Head of Media Relations at SIMEST; Francesco Mennillo, Governance & Strategy Manager at AlmavivA; Simone Mezzedimi, Director of the Italy–India Association; Fabio Panunzi Capuano, Chief Business Development Officer at Telecom Italia Sparkle; Guglielmo Picchi, President of SACE; Silvia Vaiga Perino, Head of EU and International Affairs at FS International Spa; Paolo Roth, Director of External Relations, Communication and Research at Assarmatori; Andrea Schiavoni, Head of International Market Development at Cassa Depositi e Prestiti; and Rosario Zaccà, Head of the India Desk at the law firm Gianni & Origoni.
The Report as the Basis for a Structured Dialogue
Before the roundtable opened, Andrea Poggi highlighted the increasingly decisive role of structured dialogue between institutions and businesses in fully capturing India’s potential:
“With an economy growing at over 6% per year and accounting for more than 17% of global GDP growth, India is a market where the ability to effectively connect public and private actors is crucial to facilitating access to key sectors such as advanced manufacturing, infrastructure, the bioeconomy, and artificial intelligence.”
Fabio Pompei echoed this view, stressing that “the partnership between the two countries is no longer a future prospect, but is already generating significant opportunities. As Deloitte, we place our expertise, analyses, and networks at the service of companies to help them navigate this key market.”
From a geopolitical perspective, Ambassador Vani Sarraju Rao reaffirmed the importance of the current historical moment:
“Relations between Italy and India are very strong today, also thanks to the commitment of our governments. We are one of the fastest-growing countries in the world, and with a young and expanding population we need to work with reliable partners like Italy to create jobs and drive innovation.”
From an institutional standpoint, Mauro Battocchi added:
“Today we have an important opportunity to strengthen an economic relationship worth around 14 billion euros. We want to go much further, and our goal is to reach 700 billion euros in exports by 2027. India is a strategic partner in achieving this.”
The event also prompted reflection on the role of economic diplomacy. Giovanni Castellaneta, President of ISN, explained that “the relationship between Italy and India has entered a mature strategic phase, in which economy, technology, and diplomacy now move forward inseparably.” According to Guido Talarico, CEO of Associated Medias, “in an increasingly interconnected global context, communication also becomes a decisive lever for business growth. With these Institutional Breakfasts, we aim to build a stable platform to develop new relationships and new opportunities.”
Ultimately, the deeper meaning of the initiative was captured by the words of moderator Monica Maggioni:
“In a world where global relationships are being called into question,” she said, “building spaces for exchange like this is one of the few antidotes to the complex moment we are living through.”
(Associated Medias) – all rights reserved