IMEC connectivity push: Meloni, Modi elevate India-Italy ties to strategic partnership
Synopsis
Italy and India didn’t just exchange pleasantries in Rome — they upgraded their entire relationship. With IMEC as the centrepiece and a new Special Strategic Partnership on the table, Meloni and Modi are betting that the Mediterranean and the Indo-Pacific can be stitched together through trade corridors, shared security interests, and a rules-based order both say they want to defend.
Key Takeaways
Italian PM Giorgia Meloni and PM Narendra Modi met in Rome on 20 May and agreed to elevate ties to a Special Strategic Partnership .
Meloni strongly backed IMEC , the infrastructure corridor linking Europe, the Middle East, and India , launched at the G20 in New Delhi in September 2023 .
Both leaders reviewed the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–29 , deepening cooperation in trade, defence, technology, and connectivity .
The two sides discussed the Ukraine conflict and the Iranian crisis , reaffirming commitment to sustained peace negotiations.
Both nations reiterated a shared vision for a free, inclusive, and open Indo-Pacific , including freedom of navigation .
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday, 20 May called for deeper connectivity between India and Italy, specifically through the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Rome. The two leaders also agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a Special Strategic Partnership, marking a significant upgrade in the relationship.
Meloni's Case for IMEC
Framing the two nations as complementary geographic anchors, Meloni described Italy and India as “two peninsulas… platforms, which are projected in crucial areas of the world, the Mediterranean and the Indo-Pacific area.” She argued that strengthening interconnection between these two regions is “of extreme importance.”
IMEC, launched at the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September 2023, is an infrastructure and economic corridor linking Europe, the Middle East, and India. Meloni said Italy “strongly believes” in the initiative, contending it “can unleash a wonderful potential for our trade, for our businesses and for our relations.”
Special Strategic Partnership Announced
The bilateral meeting in Rome resulted in both leaders agreeing to deepen cooperation under the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–29. According to a statement from India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two sides reviewed implementation progress and agreed to enrich ties across trade, investments, technology, defence, the blue economy, connectivity, education, and people-to-people relations.
The MEA added that the leaders “discussed geopolitical developments and agreed to work on global issues of shared interest.” This upgrade to a Special Strategic Partnership signals a formal step beyond the existing framework, placing India-Italy ties in a higher diplomatic category.
Ukraine, Iran, and Indo-Pacific Security
Meloni confirmed that the two leaders discussed major global flashpoints. On Ukraine, she reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to “a lasting and fair peace.” On the Iranian crisis, she expressed hope that “peace negotiations will continue and reach a positive conclusion” while acknowledging the situation remains “very critical and very shaky.”
Both leaders also underlined the importance of freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific, reaffirming a shared vision of a “free, inclusive, and open” maritime order. Meloni said Italy would “continue to play the role” alongside India in contributing to peace and stability in the region.
Shared Vision on Global Challenges
Beyond connectivity and security, Meloni outlined a broad convergence between Rome and New Delhi on issues including international stability, economic security, resilience of value chains, and inclusive development. This framing positions the India-Italy relationship as one anchored not just in bilateral trade but in a shared approach to the rules-based international order.
This comes amid India’s broader diplomatic push to deepen ties with European partners, particularly as geopolitical realignments reshape trade and infrastructure corridors globally. The IMEC corridor, while facing implementation headwinds since its 2023 launch, remains a central plank of India’s connectivity diplomacy with the West.
Point of View
But the real test is IMEC. The corridor has faced well-documented implementation challenges since its September 2023 G20 launch, including geopolitical disruptions along its planned Middle East routes. Meloni’s strong endorsement gives the project political oxygen, but political will in Rome and New Delhi is only one variable. What the corridor needs is operational clarity, private investment commitments, and a stable Gulf transit framework — none of which a joint press conference can deliver. India’s broader European connectivity push is the right instinct; whether IMEC becomes its flagship achievement or its most prominent stalled project will depend on execution, not summitry.
NationPress
15 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is IMEC and why does it matter?
The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is an infrastructure and trade corridor linking India to Europe via the Middle East, launched at the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September 2023. It is designed to boost trade, reduce logistics costs, and provide an alternative to existing shipping routes.
What was agreed between PM Modi and Italian PM Meloni in Rome?
The two leaders agreed to elevate India-Italy bilateral ties to a Special Strategic Partnership during their meeting in Rome on 20 May. They also reviewed the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29 and committed to deepening cooperation in trade, defence, technology, connectivity, and people-to-people ties.
What did Meloni say about IMEC?
Meloni said Italy ‘strongly believes’ in IMEC, describing it as an initiative that ‘can unleash a wonderful potential’ for trade and bilateral relations. She framed Italy and India as complementary geographic platforms — in the Mediterranean and the Indo-Pacific respectively — making connectivity between the two regions strategically vital.
Did Modi and Meloni discuss Ukraine and Iran?
Yes. Meloni confirmed both leaders discussed Ukraine, reaffirming commitment to a lasting and fair peace, and the Iranian crisis, expressing hope that peace negotiations would reach a positive conclusion. She described both situations as ‘very critical and very shaky.’
What is the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29?
It is a bilateral framework between India and Italy that guides cooperation across key sectors including trade, investments, technology, defence, the blue economy, connectivity, and education. Both leaders reviewed its implementation progress during the Rome meeting on 20 May.
