Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman is set to represent India at the 58th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Milan, Italy, from May 4 to 7, 2025. Her visit marks a significant opportunity for India to engage in meaningful global dialogue on issues that impact both economic development and climate resilience.
Accompanied by senior officials from the Department of Economic Affairs, Smt. Sitharaman’s presence at this high-level international forum underscores India’s continued commitment to multilateral cooperation and its active role in shaping the future of the global economy. The ADB meeting brings together member nations, international financial institutions, and economic thought leaders to deliberate on key developmental challenges and collaborative solutions. The Finance Minister will participate in several important events during the visit, including the Governors’ Business Session, the Governor’s Plenary, and a seminar on cross-border collaboration for resilience-building in a changing world.
Demonstrating the spirit of global cooperation, Smt. Sitharaman is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with her counterparts from Italy, Japan, and Bhutan. These meetings aim to strengthen ties and explore new avenues for cooperation. She will also meet with the heads of important global financial institutions, including the President of ADB, the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Governor of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). These interactions reflect India’s deepening engagement with global institutions and its focus on sustainable and inclusive growth.
In addition to her official engagements, Smt. Sitharaman will interact with members of the Indian diaspora in Milan, acknowledging their invaluable contributions to both India and their adopted homeland. Her visit to Milan also includes a thoughtful engagement with the academic and business community, as she addresses a plenary session at Bocconi University’s NEXT Milan Forum on the theme “Balancing Economic and Climate Resilience.” The session is expected to highlight India’s approach toward harmonizing growth and environmental responsibility—a critical challenge for all modern economies.
This visit not only reinforces India’s role on the global economic stage but also reflects a compassionate and balanced approach to policymaking—one that values economic progress while being deeply mindful of environmental and societal well-being.