The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), a groundbreaking initiative launched at the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September 2023, is poised to revolutionize connectivity between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Italy’s Special Envoy for IMEC, Francesco Talò, emphasized India’s indispensable role in this ambitious project, citing its vast market, robust production capabilities, and leadership in trade, energy, and data connectivity. In an exclusive interview with PTI Videos at the Italian Embassy in New Delhi, Talò described IMEC as a vital network in an era of global volatility.

The IMEC envisions an extensive infrastructure of road, rail, and shipping networks linking India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and European nations, including EU signatories Italy, France, and Germany. Signed in September 2023, the agreement aims to foster economic integration and diversify trade routes amidst global security challenges. Talò underscored that IMEC is not merely a corridor but a complex network, with India as a central protagonist due to its industrial strength, technological advancements, and status as a major market.

A key component of IMEC is the Blue Raman cable project, which will connect Mumbai to the Italian port of Genoa, extending digital connectivity across Europe. Talò highlighted that “data is the fuel of the 21st century,” emphasizing the importance of this link for powering data centers and advancing artificial intelligence and economic growth. Additionally, the corridor is expected to double trade between India and the European Union within a decade, while facilitating energy exchanges, including India’s potential to produce and export green hydrogen to energy-scarce Europe.

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During his recent visit to New Delhi, Talò engaged with India’s deputy National Security Advisor and senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs to deepen collaboration. He noted the strategic alignment between India and Gulf countries, which possess abundant renewable energy resources, and Europe’s growing energy demands. These shared interests, he argued, make IMEC a critical platform for mutual prosperity.

Talò, who accompanied Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the G20 Summit when IMEC was launched, stressed the need to transition from planning to action. Despite setbacks following the Israel-Hamas conflict that began in October 2023, renewed momentum signals progress. Italy is positioning its coastal city of Trieste as a potential hub for IMEC, with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani planning a business-focused meeting by year-end to showcase its potential. While France has proposed Marseille as another terminal, Talò advocated for multiple ports, including several in India, to maximize the network’s reach.

Operating under the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative, Italy is committed to a collaborative “Team Europe” approach. Talò also distinguished IMEC from China’s Belt and Road Initiative, emphasizing that IMEC is a unique partnership for mutual benefit, not a competing project. As global challenges persist, IMEC represents a beacon of hope for economic and political stability, with India at its core.

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