PM Modi and Meloni Review Bilateral Partnership and Pledge for Indo-Pacific Growth

Bari/Delhi, 15 June (H.S): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni met on Friday to review the progress of their bilateral strategic partnership.

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region and discussed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). They also agreed to strengthen cooperation in global fora and multilateral initiatives, including the IMEC. This initiative, which aims to improve connectivity and integration between Asia, the Middle East, and the West, is seen as a counter to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The IMEC was initially proposed during the G20 Summit last year and is part of India and Italy's efforts to gain strategic influence in the region. The two leaders also discussed important regional and global issues, highlighting their shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The meeting concluded with both leaders expressing satisfaction with the regular political dialogue between the two nations and reviewing the progress of their strategic partnership.