Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized the strategic importance of Italy and India due to their geographic locations in the Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific regions. She highlighted the significance of enhancing connectivity, particularly through initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), established during the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September 2023.
During a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Meloni stressed the need to strengthen the interconnection between the Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific regions. She expressed confidence in the potential of IMEC to boost trade, businesses, and relations between Europe, the Middle East, and India.
The leaders discussed various global security challenges, including the situations in Ukraine and Iran. They shared a commitment to ongoing negotiations for peace and stability in conflict-affected areas. Meloni highlighted the interconnectedness between Italy and India in addressing these complex scenarios.
Italy and India affirmed their joint efforts to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. They underscored the importance of upholding freedom of navigation and supporting a free, inclusive, and open Indo-Pacific. The leaders also agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a special strategic partnership during their meeting in Rome.
The two nations reviewed the progress in implementing the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029. They committed to enhancing cooperation in various sectors such as trade, investments, technology, defense, the blue economy, connectivity, education, and people-to-people ties. Both leaders pledged to collaborate on global issues of mutual interest.
