Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke with his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni over the telephone and the two leaders discussed the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union (EU), among other things.
PM Modi also discussed with Meloni ways to end the conflict in Ukraine as well as the implementation of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEEC).
PM Modi said on X, "Had an excellent conversation with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. We reaffirmed our joint commitment to deepen India-Italy Strategic Partnership, and shared interest in bringing an early end to the conflict in Ukraine. Thanked PM Meloni for Italy's proactive support for concluding a mutually beneficial India-EU trade agreement and promoting connectivity through the IMEEEC initiative."
A statement issued by the government said that the two leaders reviewed and positively assessed the developments in bilateral strategic partnership across sectors such as investment, defence, security, space, science and technology, education, people-to-people ties and counter-terrorism.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment towards further deepening of the partnership, in line with the joint strategic action plan -2025-29, it said.
The External Affairs Ministry issued a statement after the discussion between the two, saying that the "leaders reviewed and positively assessed the developments in bilateral Strategic Partnership across sectors such as investment, defence, security, space, science & technology, education, people-to-people ties and counter-terrorism. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment towards further deepening of the Partnership, in line with the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. They agreed on the need for an early and peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine. PM Modi reiterated India’s full support for efforts in this direction."
"Prime Minister Meloni reiterated Italy’s strong support for conclusion of a mutually beneficial India-EU Free Trade Agreement at the earliest, and for the success of the AI Impact Summit to be hosted by India in 2026. The leaders also agreed on taking steps to promote connectivity under India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEEC) initiative. The leaders agreed to remain in touch," the statement added.
India and the EU are looking at firming up the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) by the end of this year. The two sides are holding the 13th round of negotiations in New Delhi this week. India and the EU relaunched the negotiations for the free trade agreement (FTA) in June 2022 after a gap of over eight years.
The IMEEC initiative was firmed up on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi in 2023. Billed as a pathbreaking initiative, it envisages a vast road, railroad and shipping networks among Saudi Arabia, India, the US and Europe with an aim to ensure integration among Asia, Middle East and West.
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