New Delhi, Nov 13 (IANS) India and Italy have reaffirmed that scientific cooperation contributes to closer relations between the two countries, promotes mutual understanding and supports sustainable economic and societal development, an official statement said on Friday. Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, and Minister of University and Research of the Italian Republic, Anna Maria Bernini, reaffirmed their intention to maintain close dialogue on the implementation.