Italy: How Milan, Turin & Genoa Strengthen India’s Manufacturing Ties

Italy’s key industrial cities are becoming important partners in India’s efforts to strengthen advanced manufacturing, diversify supply chains, and connect more closely with European markets. Milan, Turin, and Genoa play a central role by linking India with Italy’s expertise in automotive engineering, machinery, design, and logistics. As India and the European Union move closer to a free trade agreement, cooperation with these cities is expected to further support India’s manufacturing growth.

Why Italy – And These Cities – Matter To India

Italy ranks among India’s top EU trading partners, with bilateral goods trade reaching about US$14.5 billion in 2023-24 and estimated at US$13.76 billion in FY25, showing resilience amid global shifts.

Italian exports to India focus on machinery, machine tools, metallurgical products, specialty chemicals and engineering goods, while Indian shipments include textiles, garments, leather, auto parts, iron ore and pharmaceuticals.

Three trends highlight the relevance of Milan, Turin and Genoa for India today:

• Clusters of automotive, machinery and engineering leaders with established investments, R&D and sourcing in India.

• Robust regional ties, including business forums and state-level collaborations linking northern Italy to Indian industry hubs.

• Shared momentum from the Italy-India Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029 and EU-India FTA talks, targeting sectors like green tech, renewables, shipbuilding and industry 4.0.

Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani has called the India-EU FTA one of the “most awaited” deals, with recent high-level meetings reaffirming commitment to swift conclusion.

Milan is strengthening its role as a key industrial gateway connecting Italy and India, supporting manufacturing collaboration, technology exchange, and deeper access to European Union markets.

Milan: Financial And Design Powerhouse

Milan, the economic capital of Italy and the industrial heart of the Lombardy region, plays a crucial role in connecting Italian manufacturing excellence with growing opportunities in India. Known globally for its strengths in finance, fashion, engineering, and industrial design, Milan supports a wide range of exports that align closely with India’s demand for high-quality machinery, advanced manufacturing inputs, and premium consumer goods.

Over 200 Italian firms in the Milan region supply chemicals, precision tools and luxury components to Indian markets.​

Milan serves as a gateway for Italian SMEs and multinationals investing in India, with strong links in fashion machinery, textiles and industrial design. Indian firms like TCS and Infosys also leverage Milan’s ecosystem for EU access, fostering two-way flows.

Turin is strengthening automotive collaboration between Italy and India, supporting EV innovation, technology transfer, and integrated R&D partnerships with companies like Stellantis.

Turin: Automotive And Engineering Core

Located in the Piedmont region, Turin is widely regarded as the automotive capital of Italy. The city has long been home to major automotive and engineering companies, including Stellantis and Pirelli, which play a significant role in supplying components, advanced engineering solutions, and specialized technologies to India’s rapidly growing automotive industry.

Through exports and industrial partnerships, Turin-based firms support key segments of India’s automotive ecosystem—from component manufacturing and tire production to advanced vehicle engineering. Their expertise is particularly valuable as India accelerates its transition toward electric mobility and next-generation automotive technologies.

The connection between Turin and India extends beyond exports. Collaborative research and development initiatives and technology transfers are helping Indian manufacturers scale production and improve product quality. One example is Stellantis’ investment in a $150 million R&D facility in Hyderabad, which blends Italian engineering precision with India’s expanding manufacturing capabilities. These collaborations strengthen supply chains while also enabling innovation in areas such as electric vehicles, mobility solutions, and advanced automotive engineering.

Genoa serves as a key maritime hub linking Italy and India, channeling industrial exports through major Indian ports like Jawaharlal Nehru Port and Chennai.

Genoa: Logistics Gateway To India

The port city of Genoa, located in the Liguria region, serves as one of Italy’s most important maritime gateways and a critical link in the Italy–India trade corridor. As a major Mediterranean logistics hub, Genoa handles over 50 million tonnes of cargo annually, facilitating the export of machinery, chemicals, automotive components, and industrial equipment from northern Italy to global markets, including India.

The port’s strategic location and strong connectivity with Italy’s industrial regions—such as Lombardy and Piedmont—make it a natural export outlet for companies based in Milan, Turin, and surrounding manufacturing clusters. Goods produced in these regions are transported to Genoa for consolidation and then shipped to international destinations.

Trade activity at the Genoa–Savona port system continues to grow steadily. In the first quarter of 2025, cargo volumes reached 15.8 million tonnes, marking a 1.4% increase compared to the previous year, while container traffic grew by around 10%. Much of this cargo moves along key maritime routes through the Suez Canal or the Cape of Good Hope, eventually reaching major Indian ports such as Jawaharlal Nehru Port and Chennai. From there, goods are distributed across India’s industrial centers, reinforcing the logistics backbone that supports the expanding trade relationship between Italy and India.

How The Supply Chain Actually Flows

The Italy–India manufacturing link follows a clear process:

1. Production in Northern Italy – Factories in Milan and Turin produce machinery, auto components, chemicals, and design products. Indian suppliers also contribute materials such as textiles, leather, and components to these supply chains.

2. Inland Transport – Goods are transported by road or rail from Milan and Turin to the port city of Genoa.

3. Shipping from Genoa – Products are loaded onto container ships at Genoa and shipped through the Suez Canal and the Arabian Sea to India.

4. Arrival in India – Cargo reaches ports such as Nhava Sheva or Chennai, where it is cleared and sent to industrial hubs like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and other manufacturing centres.

5. Two-Way Trade – Indian exports, including garments and pharmaceuticals, also travel back to Europe through similar routes.

This supply chain strengthens India’s “Make in India” initiative while integrating Italian technology into Indian manufacturing.

Why It Matters Now: FTA, De-Risking And Sustainability

India-Italy ties gain urgency from FTA progress, with Tajani confirming support for rapid finalisation to boost SMEs and trade to €20 billion annually by 2029.

De-risking pushes Indian firms toward diversified suppliers like Italy’s machinery and renewables, amid global tensions.​

Sustainability aligns both: Italian green hydrogen, circular economy projects (e.g., Maire Tecnimont’s Gujarat contracts) match India’s net-zero goals, alongside energy ties via ENI.

These cities transcend geography – they are vital engines of India’s Europe connectivity, channeling Italian “Made in Italy” excellence into India’s factories and supply chains.

Note: This article is part of EIJ’s ongoing Europe–India Supply Chain Series, where we spotlight the key European countries, cities, and companies shaping India’s trade networks. Each week, we explore one nation’s strategic role across industrial goods, logistics, retail sourcing, innovation, and critical intermediates. Over the coming weeks, the series will map the quiet infrastructure behind everyday commerce. Stay with us as we trace the supply routes that connect Europe and India — one country at a time.