Lok Sabha Question No. 3220 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-13
Subject: India-Italy Ties
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Thiru Dayanidhi Maran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 3220 ANSWERED ON- 13.12.2024 INDIA-ITALY TIES

## 3220. THIRU DAYANIDHI MARAN

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-

(a) the immediate steps taken to implement the India-Middle East-Europe Connectivity Corridor (IMECC) following the agreement reached during India's   G20   presidency   alongwith   the   manner   in   which   the   Ministry ensure that Italy plays an active role in advancing this initiative;

- (b) the specific sectors in Italy identified for collaboration under IMECC and   the   manner   Indian   stakeholders   are   likely   to   benefit   from   this partnership;

(c) the focal areas of economic, defence and technological cooperation between India and Italy;

(d) whether any new agreements/investments expected as a result of this strengthened partnership, if so, the details thereof;

(e) the manner in which India is planning to expand its influence and contributions to international organisations based in Rome, like the FAO and the World Food Programme to advance global food security and agricultural policies; and

(f) the long-term goals for this bilateral relationship with emphasis on Italy as a key partner in Europe and the Mediterranean?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a & b) Italy is among select partners along with India who announced the conclusion of an MOU committing to work together to develop a new India-Middle East- Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Delhi in 2023. The other partners include European Union, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, UAE and US.

The IMEEC corridor, which aims at integration of Asia, Europe and the Middle East, involves multiple stakeholders and is at an incipient stage.

(c & d and f) India and Italy share a strategic partnership. During their meeting on the margins of G20 Summit in Rio on 18 th   November 2024, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Italy Ms Giorgia Meloni, announced a Joint Strategic Action Plan (JSAP) for 2025-2029 for

giving an impetus to the bilateral ties. Under the JSAP, both sides will deepen cooperation in diverse domains including trade and investments, science, technology and innovation, space, energy transition, defence, security, migration and mobility, culture, academic and people-to-people ties. (e) As a founding member of the three UN bodies based in Rome - Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), World Food Programme (WFP) and the International   Fund   for   Agricultural   Development   (IFAD),   India   is proactively participating in these UN organisations to shape policies and approaches on issues related to global agriculture, food security and nutrition, and rural transformation. India, as a member of key Governing Bodies and Committees,   contributes to the effective governance of these UN organisations.     India is also articulating the perspective of developing countries. Our partnership with these UN organisations has evolved to joint development of initiatives and technologies, which have immense relevance for other developing countries.

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