New Delhi: Prime Minister of Italy, Prof. Giuseppe Conte, was paid an official visit to India on October 30, 2018 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Prime Minister Conte will be accompanied by a delegation that will participate in the 24th edition of the DST-CII India-Italy Technology Summit 2018. This will be Prime Minister Conte’s first visit to India after taking office in June 2018.
During the visit PM Conte hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 30 October. The two leaders will then address the valedictory session of the Technology Summit. Italy is the Partner Country in this edition of the Summit.
The Technology Summit is organized by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) of the Government of India in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). This edition of the Summit will focus on seven areas viz. Cleantech, Renewable, ICT, Healthcare, Aerospace, Education and Cultural Heritage. The objective of the Summit is to facilitate technology transfers, joint ventures, R&D, and market access between industry and research institutions in India and Italy.
The visit would be part of the ongoing celebrations to commemorate 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Italy.
Background
Italy is India’s 5th largest trading partner in the EU with annual bilateral trade turnover at US$ 10.4 billion (2017-18). The presence of over 600 Italian companies in India is an important link binding the economies. Indian companies are also investing and acquiring units in Italy.
The DST-CII India-Italy Technology Summit will be attended by representatives of government, industry, academia, research institutes, scientific community and related agencies from India and Italy. Several Italian and Indian experts will be speaking at the Summit on various topics including astrophysics, gravitational waves, mobile network, IOT, e-infrastructure and bio-robotics, among others.
The visit of the Italian Prime Minister will help to underscore these synergies and give an added boost to future collaboration.