Modi, Meloni review progress of India-Italy partnership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni have reviewed the progress of the bilateral strategic partnership and agreed to strengthen cooperation in global fora and multilateral initiatives, including the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.

The two leaders met on June 14 towards the end of Prime Minister Modi’s day-long visit to Apulia, southern Italy, during which he thanked the Italian Prime Minister for the invitation to attend the G7 Summit.

A Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) readout of the meeting said the leaders committed to fulfilling their shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific and discussed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

“Both leaders look forward to joint activities to be implemented under the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative framework to fulfill their shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the Ministry of External Affairs said amidst China’s aggressive actions in the region.

It said they also discussed important regional and global issues and agreed to strengthen cooperation in global fora and multilateral initiatives, including the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.

Billed as a path-breaking initiative, the IMEC envisages a vast road, railroad, and shipping network among Saudi Arabia, India, the US, and Europe to ensure integration among Asia, the Middle East, and the West.

The IMEC is also seen as an initiative by like-minded nations to gain strategic influence in the face of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has faced increasing criticism over the lack of transparency and disregard for the sovereignty of the nations.

The BRI is a mega connectivity project that connects China with Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Russia, and Europe.

The IMEC initiative was firmed up on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi last year.