India and Italy discussed the Gulf situation, IMEC and the Ukraine conflict during a meeting between S Jaishankar and Antonio Tajani in New York. The talks also covered trade, connectivity and wider strategic cooperation between the two countries…reports Asian Lite News Desk
Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar discussed the Gulf situation, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the Ukraine conflict during their meeting in New York.
Tajani said Italy and India are linked by a “special Strategic Partnership” and highlighted cooperation between the two countries in areas including defence, security, artificial intelligence, space, critical technologies and energy.
“In this framework, we share the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation, essential for the security of trade routes, for connectivity, and for the growth of our economies,” Tajani said in a post on X after meeting Jaishankar on Tuesday.
Jaishankar said their conversation focused on “the Gulf situation, IMEC, and the Ukraine conflict”.
The IMEC is a proposed trade and connectivity corridor linking India with Europe through the Middle East. The plan, proposed during the 2023 G20 summit, envisages a sea and land route through Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel, with connections to Europe through Greece and Italy.
Tajani described IMEC as a “strategic development” that could support increased trade between the countries involved.
He also said Italy and India want to work together towards a target of 20 billion euros in trade exchange by 2029 as part of Italy’s Export Action Plan.
The EU-India Free Trade Agreement was reached in January, and Tajani said IMEC could provide an opportunity to support the goal of expanding trade.
Jaishankar also held a meeting with Uganda’s Foreign Minister Adonia Ayebare during his engagements in New York.
Ayebare said on X that he participated in a high-level meeting of Like-Minded Global South Countries and Friends convened by India.
Following his meeting with Ayebare, Jaishankar said the two sides agreed to cooperate closely on strengthening bilateral relations, with a focus on development partnership, capacity building, defence training and agriculture.
The discussions formed part of Jaishankar’s diplomatic engagements on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The India-Italy discussions covered economic connectivity, maritime issues and regional and global developments, while the meeting with Uganda focused on areas of bilateral cooperation.
