India

Born from the dissolution of the British Empire, India acquired its independence in 1947, after a partition with the dominion of Pakistan. Today, it is the largest country in South Asia. Being a peninsular state, it is surrounded by water bodies on three sides: the Indian Ocean to the south, the Arabian Sea to the west and the Bay of Bengal to the east. To the northwest, India shares its borders with Pakistan, to the northeast with China, Nepal and Bhutan, and to the east with Bangladesh and Myanmar. According to the World Bank’s most recent estimation (2020), the country’s population is 1.38 billion, making it the second most populous country in the world. New Delhi is the capital city.

Some of the oldest and most important cultures and religions in human history were born in India. These have fostered a unique cultural development, which influenced many neighbouring societies.

Since the 1990s, India has experienced rapid economic growth, making it a global economic giant in just a few years. Its population is very young and drives the growth of the domestic market. Having achieved high levels of development, India is now one of the most advanced economies in the technology sector and heavy industry, especially in steel production. Thanks to its economic and demographic relevance, India has significantly increased its political role internationally, and has strong bilateral relations with most countries within the region and with the main global players, including the US and the European Union.

Italy and India have intensified their economic relations in recent years, focusing on a few key sectors including agribusiness, infrastructure, Information and Communication Technologies, and the manufacturing industry. Trade between the two countries is relevant and many Italian companies in India employ local workers. In recent years, Indian companies have strongly invested abroad and made massive acquisitions in other countries. An example of this is the Luxemburg-based multinational company ArcelorMittal, the largest steel company in the world, controlled by Indian tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, which operates dozens of major plants in over 15 countries. In Italy, the company runs a major steel production plant in Taranto and a number of other plants throughout the country, employing more than 14,000 people.