<h1>Economic partnership advances with financing, increased export credit and push for joint ventures and a free trade deal.</h1> Italy has established a dedicated 500 million financing line to support Italian companies in India and foster joint ventures, while its export credit agency increased local-currency exposure by about 200 million in addition to over 2 billion of guarantees; policy aims include converting contacts into contracts via targeted co-development and co-production projects and advancing an ambitious EU-India free trade framework alongside a joint strategic action plan for coordinated initiatives in defence, trade, clean energy and connectivity.