India, Italy to collaborate on hydrogen, gas projects

India and Italy have agreed to explore the development of green hydrogen, renewable energy, and natural gas projects, the Indian government said on October 30.

The two countries will initiate a dialogue to support the development and deployment of green hydrogen and related technologies in India. Italian and Indian companies will also look to jointly develop natural gas and decarbonisation projects in the south Asian nation, the government said.

The announcement was made after Indian prime minister Narendra Modi held an in-person meeting with his Italian counterpart Mario Draghi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rome.

The countries will consider working together to support a large size green corridor project to “capitalise on India's target to produce and integrate 450 GW of renewable energy by 2030."

The Indian government said a joint working group established by the memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of energy, signed in Delhi in October 2017, will be tasked to explore cooperation in areas such as smart cities; mobility, smart-grids.