Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized the significance of improving connection, particularly via significant projects such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), which was established during the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September 2023, in light of Italy and India’s strategic geographic location across the Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific, respectively.

Meloni stated during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, “We are two peninsulas, two platforms… ” I’ll just mention platforms, which are planned for key locations around the Mediterranean and the Indo-Pacific. In our opinion, it is essential to improve the relationship between these two vital sectors.

Meloni stated that this is why we sought to further develop IMEC, the infrastructure corridor that connects Europe, the Middle East, and India economically, which was created during the G20 summit.

Since we think it has the potential to unleash a fantastic potential for our trade, our enterprises, and our relationships, it is an initiative that we fully support. Italy and India have a common perspective on several of the major issues facing the world today, including international stability, the preservation of rules, economic security, the resilience of value chains, the promotion of peace, and inclusive development, she said.

Additionally, she stated that the two leaders discussed important global security issues such the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, demonstrating a common awareness of the necessity of ongoing negotiations to promote peace and stability in areas that have been impacted by conflict.

“And we went over many of the challenging situations we face. We discussed Ukraine; we discussed our dedication to achieving a just and enduring peace. We shared our opinions about the Iranian crisis with the common desire that the peace talks would proceed and come to a successful conclusion within a framework that we understand to be both extremely important and precarious. Meloni said that Italy will continue to play the role in both scenarios because we are becoming more and more connected.

She emphasized the importance of guaranteeing freedom of navigation, highlighting that Italy and India will continue to work together to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. She also noted that both countries share the common vision of a free, inclusive, and open Indo-Pacific.

During their bilateral discussion in Rome on Wednesday, the two leaders also decided to raise India-Italy relations to a unique strategic alliance.

“The two leaders examined the progress in implementing the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29 and decided to strengthen and enhance bilateral cooperation, particularly in fields like commerce, investment, technology, defense, the blue economy, connectivity, education, and interpersonal interactions, among others. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “They talked about geopolitical events and agreed to collaborate on global challenges of mutual concern. “