IMEC Parliamentary Friendship Group Launched in Italy to Enhance Connectivity

The launch of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Parliamentary Friendship Group took place on November 7, 2023, at the Italian Parliament. Spearheaded by Paolo Formentini, Vice-President of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and Antonio Giordano, this initiative aims to integrate a structured parliamentary diplomacy dimension into IMEC. Over forty Italian parliamentarians have already pledged their support, underscoring the significance of this initiative for enhancing trade and political relationships among India, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and Europe.

Italy is a founding signatory of the IMEC project, which was inaugurated during the G20 summit hosted by India in September 2023, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Formentini and Giordano have consistently advocated for IMEC, with Formentini previously establishing a permanent committee on the Indo-Pacific that has generated comprehensive recommendations for Italy’s strategy in the region.

Strengthening Diplomatic Relations

“The establishment of this IMEC intergroup is further proof of the effectiveness and centrality of parliamentary diplomacy,” stated Senator Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata, President of the EU Affairs Committee. He emphasized that the group would foster dialogue and cohesion, essential for a project of such international importance. Terzi affirmed the role of the parliamentary friendship group in fortifying relations between Rome and New Delhi.

IMEC is designed to connect India to Europe, traversing the Gulf and entering the Mediterranean through Israel. Terzi described it as a mechanism that will bolster ties among the participating nations, contributing not only to economic growth but also to advancements in science, technology, and cultural exchange. He referenced former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who envisioned a convergence of seas two decades ago, noting that this vision is now becoming a reality through initiatives like IMEC.

Several Italian parliamentarians, including Hon. Deborah Bergamini, Head of International Relations for Forza Italia, expressed a commitment to this diplomatic pathway. Bergamini highlighted the pressing need for credible parliamentary diplomacy in a world undergoing significant changes. She pointed out that Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani is currently in Riyadh to advance the IMEC agenda, with plans for a high-level mission to India set for December 10-11, 2023. Italy is determined to take an active role in the project’s development, with a major event planned in Trieste for spring 2026.

International Engagement and Support

The launch event was attended by ambassadors and senior diplomats from key countries involved in IMEC. Notable attendees included Amb. Vani Rao from India, Amb. Jonathan Peled from Israel, Amb. Bassam Rady from Egypt, and Amb. Yiorgos Christofides from Cyprus, which will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union next month. Christofides emphasized Cyprus’s strategic interest in IMEC, viewing it as essential to enhancing relationships with India and the Middle East.

The diverse political representation at the launch illustrates broad support in Italy for strengthening ties with India. The opposition was represented by Senator Tiziana Rojc of the Partito Democratico, who hails from Trieste, a crucial port for IMEC. Italy promotes Trieste as a primary gateway to Europe for the initiative, with its extensive cargo-rail network linking twelve EU countries. Both Rojc and Senator Marco Dreosto from Lega are recognized advocates for the project and for fostering relations between India and Italy.

The formation of the Parliamentary Friendship Group closely follows a successful engagement between Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during the G20 summit in South Africa. It also precedes another significant trade delegation to New Delhi led by Deputy Prime Minister Tajani, marking the second high-level mission to India within the year.

Formentini and Giordano articulated that IMEC signifies a crucial strategic step in enhancing the Mediterranean’s role within global trade routes. They believe it offers a competitive alternative to the Belt and Road Initiative and emerging Arctic routes. The interconnected framework of IMEC is seen as vital in maintaining the economic relevance of the Mediterranean region on a global scale.

As the IMEC Parliamentary Friendship Group takes shape, there is an optimistic outlook that other national parliaments will establish similar committees, further bolstering the initiative’s potential for international cooperation.