India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC)

India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) Latest News

Recently, India and Italy have agreed to deepen their strategic cooperation across key sectors, including trade, defence, clean energy, and high technology.

Why in the News?

• This commitment was reaffirmed during a meeting between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani held in April 2025.
• The discussions prominently focused on advancing ties under the Joint Strategic Action Plan (JSAP) 2025–2029, which serves as a structured roadmap to diversify bilateral cooperation.
• The JSAP was jointly announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during their meeting in November 2024 in Rio de Janeiro.

About the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC)

• IMEEC is a multimodal connectivity initiative aiming to improve infrastructure for trade and transport between India, the Middle East, and Europe.
• It was officially launched through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by India, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and the US during the G20 Summit in New Delhi (2023).
• IMEEC is a part of the broader Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), which was initially announced at the G7 Summit 2021 in the UK.
• It is widely regarded as a strategic counter to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
• Structure of IMEEC: IMEEC will comprise two main corridors:
  • Eastern Corridor: Connecting India to the Gulf region.
  • Northern Corridor: Connecting the Gulf to Europe.
• Expansion of Bilateral Cooperation
  • India and Italy agreed to deepen cooperation in critical areas such as: Trade and Investment, Defence and Security, Clean Energy Transition, High-end Technology, Space and Scientific Research and People-to-People Exchanges.
  • The ministers also identified vast potential for collaboration in sectors including: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity and Telecommunications, Digital Technologies, Renewable Energy and Biofuels and Higher Education and Youth Mobility.

India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) FAQs

Q1: What is the IMEEC Initiative?
Ans: The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, announced at G20 2023, is a multimodal transport network linking India to Europe via UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Israel.

Q2: What are its objectives?
Ans: Enhance trade efficiency, counter China’s BRI, and integrate energy grids and digital infrastructure across regions.

Q3: Which countries are involved?
Ans: India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, EU nations, and the US (as a strategic partner).

Source: IE