India-Italy Ties: Tajani on Trade, BTIA and IMEC
Why in the news
Italy’s Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani criticised trade wars, welcomed Trump’s 90-day tariff pause, and urged US-EU dialogue and transatlantic unity.
Key facts
- EU-India BTIA: he hopes it closes by year-end, citing political momentum after Ursula von der Leyen’s visit; on wine, spirits and agriculture, he said every deal is different, so the EU is not seeking India-US terms.
- Talks with S. Jaishankar and Piyush Goyal at a Delhi business summit centred on raising the $14 billion trade, with manufacturing, digital infrastructure and green innovation as focus areas.
IMEC and Global Gateway
- IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Corridor): instability among Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Jordan holds back its potential, yet it can promote peace.
- Italy offers Trieste Port as the central hub, linked to its “Cotton Road” vision.
- A Special Envoy will handle port, rail and digital projects for the EU’s Global Gateway; a ministerial meeting of IMEC members is planned in Italy.
Exam angle
- Person: Antonio Tajani; abbreviations: BTIA, IMEC; port: Trieste.