The Indo-Mediterranean Initiative (IMI) has been unveiled as a new project to accelerate the strengthening India-Italy ties. The IMI was introduced during the two-day India Forum 2024 in Rome with the goal of researching, assisting, and advancing the developing India-Italy relationship.

The India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor (IMEC), an economic plan proposed during the G20 conference in New Delhi in September 2023, would also receive special attention from the effort.

Indo-Mediterranean Image Source: www.imi.edu

The project will be spearheaded by Senator Giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata, a former Italian Foreign Minister and the President of the India-Italy Parliamentary Friendship Group. "Everyone was unanimously convinced that IMEC, the Economic Corridor launched by the Indian Presidency of the last G20 which saw Italy among the very first signatories, will be much more than an infrastructure project," Senator Terzi said during his speech at the forum.

A wide range of speakers took part in the event, which was hosted by Vas Shenoy, the Indian Chamber of Commerce's (ICC) Chief Representative for Italy. Italy's strategic importance was emphasised by Amb. Francesco Taló, the former diplomatic counsellor to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, during her visit to India in 2023.

Being there and involved in the strategic initiative that has made Italy a major player in the international scene alongside the UAE, India, and other nations made him very happy and proud, he said.

James Jay Carafano of the Heritage Foundation and Kaush Arha of Stanford University were among the other speakers, offering their perspectives on the US and its geopolitical surroundings. Leading Italian colleges and think tanks also attended the event, which had the strategic backing of Formiche, Italy's top geopolitical forum. The initiative received video messages of support from Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council, and Vincenzo de Luca, the Italian ambassador to India.

Inaugurated by Maria Tripodi, Italy's Under Secretary of State for External Affairs and International Cooperation, the meeting also featured the ICC Italy-India Business meeting. Amb. Vani Rao, India's new ambassador to Italy, Senator Terzi di Sant'Agata, and Antonio Bartoli, Italy's ambassador-designate to India, were among the important attendees.

The President of the Indian Chamber of Commerce, Ameya Prabhu, emphasised the significance of trust in global commerce. He said, "The relationship between Italy and India is important for global peace, security, and progress. Trust in business is an essential commodity to conduct trade."

Along with members of Italian institutions and a delegation of thirty companies from the ICC, the event concluded with representatives from the India-Italy parliamentary friendship group, including Sens. Marco Scurria, Matteo Gelmetti, and Naike Gruppioni.

High-level interaction has been observed in the relations between Italy and India, as evidenced by PM Modi's visit to the nation last week for the G7 summit and by PM Meloni's two visits to India last year—one for a bilateral visit and the other for the G20 summit.

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