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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
India certainly crucial in IMEC project: Italy's envoy Francesco Talo'
India is "certainly crucial" in the transnational IMEC project because it's a huge market and producer, as also the initiative is about trade of goods, energy and data connectivity, and New Delhi is a "protagonist in all three sectors," a top Italian diplomat has said. Billed as a pathbreaking initiative, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) envisages a vast road, railroad and shipping networks among Saudi Arabia, India, the US and Europe with an aim to ensure integration among Asia, Middle East and the West. In an exclusive interview to PTI Videos earlier this week, Italy's special envoy for IMEC, Francesco Talo' also said the ambitious project was started with a "lot of hope" and such initiatives are needed especially in times of volatility and uncertainty driven by global security challenges. Talo', a seasoned diplomat, visited India recently to take part in a meeting of representatives of countries which are partners in the IMEC initiative, which was was firmed up on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi in September 2023. "India is certainly crucial, because it's a huge market. It's a huge producer. So, on both aspects, it is very important. Then you know that IMEC is, let's say, a network of connectivity. I like to speak more about a network than a corridor, because it's more complicated than a one way point-to-point link," he told PTI in the interview hosted at the Italian Embassy here. This project is very much about trade, and of course goods, exchange of goods, as also very much about energy and data. And, "India is a protagonist in all three sectors," he said. So, of course, "you (India) are important", more and more as an industrial country, as a recipient market, but also as a hub for technology, and therefore from India, data, the connectivity of data, the digital connections are very important, the envoy underlined. "So we are linking India to Europe. And, here together we can be really the main actors. You know that there is a cable (project) called Blue Raman which is going to connect Mumbai with Italian harbour of Genoa in the Mediterranean, and then from Genoa all over Europe. This is crucial because data is practically the fuel of the 21st century," Talo' said. He emphasised the critical role of digital connectivity besides physical connectivity that will help power data centres and lend "more possibility and strength to our artificial intelligence and to our technologies and economy at large". Then, of course, the exchange of goods, between India and the European Union, which is forecast to "double in 10 years" as a result of the initiative, he said, without elaborating. And, energy is still absolutely necessary also for the digital economy because data centres need a lot of energy, the envoy added. During his visit to New Delhi, Talo' met the deputy National Security Advisor and a host of other senior officials in the central government. "I have had meetings with part of the administration, especially with people in the National Security Council and the external affairs ministry. And I'm planning to meet other people today (August 6) in order to better understand the importance of our partner India," he said. Talo' said discussions were held about the possibility that India can produce more and more hydrogen, green hydrogen and possibly not only for domestic consumption, but also to be exported. "This is valid very much for the Gulf countries. They have a lot of energy, they have a lot of sun, wind so they can produce. On the other hand, in Europe, we need energy. We don't produce enough. So there are, I mean, common interests in this field. Energy, digital connectivity, and of course connectivity," the envoy underlined. And, it's good that in this very city, the "first meeting" among the special envoys of IMEC was held, the diplomat said. "I was here when the initiative was launched in September 2023. I was with my Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. And, we had a clear vision of a great opportunity for our countries, for our shared interests," Talo' said, adding, IMEC was started with a "lot of hope" and it was very much linked to the idea of having important political and economic results. And, this is the moment really to have a "transition" from a phase of conferences, interviews, and some public events to a "more concrete phase of action", he asserted. In September 2023, an agreement was signed by India, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the US and some other G20 partners for the corridor. During the interaction, he also shared the reasons for Italy pitching its coastal city of Trieste as a "possible principal hub" in this corridor. On France also pitching to have Marseille, perhaps as a terminal on this corridor, Talo' said, "Well, I think that we need to have several terminals. Actually, I understand that in India there might be several ports." EU signatories Italy, France, and Germany are partners in this transnational connectivity project, and the envoy said Rome is working with the spirit of "Team Europe". Talo' shared that Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani plans to organise an IMEC-related meeting in Trieste, "by the end of this year". "It is not something formal with all the ministers. It's mainly intended to present Trieste as a great opportunity, as an ideal hub for IMEC. It will be dedicated to the business community and also to some ministers," he said. Asked if External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be invited for the meeting, he said, "Of course, the Indian minister would really be the main actor..., but it's not going to be a formal meeting. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
India is certainly crucial in IMEC project: Italy's envoy Francesco Talo'
New Delhi, India is "certainly crucial" in the transnational IMEC project because it's a huge market and producer, as also the initiative is about trade of goods, energy and data connectivity, and New Delhi is a "protagonist in all three sectors," a top Italian diplomat has said. India is certainly crucial in IMEC project: Italy's envoy Francesco Talo' Billed as a pathbreaking initiative, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor envisages a vast road, railroad and shipping networks among Saudi Arabia, India, the US and Europe with an aim to ensure integration among Asia, Middle East and the West. In an exclusive interview to PTI Videos earlier this week, Italy's special envoy for IMEC, Francesco Talo' also said the ambitious project was started with a "lot of hope" and such initiatives are needed especially in times of volatility and uncertainty driven by global security challenges. Talo', a seasoned diplomat, visited India recently to take part in a meeting of representatives of countries which are partners in the IMEC initiative, which was was firmed up on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi in September 2023. "India is certainly crucial, because it's a huge market. It's a huge producer. So, on both aspects, it is very important. Then you know that IMEC is, let's say, a network of connectivity. I like to speak more about a network than a corridor, because it's more complicated than a one way point-to-point link," he told PTI in the interview hosted at the Italian Embassy here. This project is very much about trade, and of course goods, exchange of goods, as also very much about energy and data. And, "India is a protagonist in all three sectors," he said. So, of course, "you are important", more and more as an industrial country, as a recipient market, but also as a hub for technology, and therefore from India, data, the connectivity of data, the digital connections are very important, the envoy underlined. "So we are linking India to Europe. And, here together we can be really the main actors. You know that there is a cable called Blue Raman which is going to connect Mumbai with Italian harbour of Genoa in the Mediterranean, and then from Genoa all over Europe. This is crucial because data is practically the fuel of the 21st century," Talo' said. He emphasised the critical role of digital connectivity besides physical connectivity that will help power data centres and lend "more possibility and strength to our artificial intelligence and to our technologies and economy at large". Then, of course, the exchange of goods, between India and the European Union, which is forecast to "double in 10 years" as a result of the initiative, he said, without elaborating. And, energy is still absolutely necessary also for the digital economy because data centres need a lot of energy, the envoy added. During his visit to New Delhi, Talo' met the deputy National Security Advisor and a host of other senior officials in the central government. "I have had meetings with part of the administration, especially with people in the National Security Council and the external affairs ministry. And I'm planning to meet other people today in order to better understand the importance of our partner India," he said. Talo' said discussions were held about the possibility that India can produce more and more hydrogen, green hydrogen and possibly not only for domestic consumption, but also to be exported. "This is valid very much for the Gulf countries. They have a lot of energy, they have a lot of sun, wind so they can produce. On the other hand, in Europe, we need energy. We don't produce enough. So there are, I mean, common interests in this field. Energy, digital connectivity, and of course connectivity," the envoy underlined. And, it's good that in this very city, the "first meeting" among the special envoys of IMEC was held, the diplomat said. "I was here when the initiative was launched in September 2023. I was with my Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. And, we had a clear vision of a great opportunity for our countries, for our shared interests," Talo' said, adding, IMEC was started with a "lot of hope" and it was very much linked to the idea of having important political and economic results. And, this is the moment really to have a "transition" from a phase of conferences, interviews, and some public events to a "more concrete phase of action", he asserted. In September 2023, an agreement was signed by India, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, the United Arab Emirates , the US and some other G20 partners for the corridor. During the interaction, he also shared the reasons for Italy pitching its coastal city of Trieste as a "possible principal hub" in this corridor. On France also pitching to have Marseille, perhaps as a terminal on this corridor, Talo' said, "Well, I think that we need to have several terminals. Actually, I understand that in India there might be several ports." EU signatories Italy, France, and Germany are partners in this transnational connectivity project, and the envoy said Rome is working with the spirit of "Team Europe". Talo' shared that Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani plans to organise an IMEC-related meeting in Trieste, "by the end of this year". "It is not something formal with all the ministers. It's mainly intended to present Trieste as a great opportunity, as an ideal hub for IMEC. It will be dedicated to the business community and also to some ministers," he said. Asked if External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be invited for the meeting, he said, "Of course, the Indian minister would really be the main actor..., but it's not going to be a formal meeting." This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
News18
3 days ago
- Business
- News18
India is certainly crucial in IMEC project: Italys envoy Francesco Talo
New Delhi, Aug 10 (PTI) India is 'certainly crucial" in the transnational IMEC project because it's a huge market and producer, as also the initiative is about trade of goods, energy and data connectivity, and New Delhi is a 'protagonist in all three sectors," a top Italian diplomat has said. Billed as a pathbreaking initiative, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) envisages a vast road, railroad and shipping networks among Saudi Arabia, India, the US and Europe with an aim to ensure integration among Asia, Middle East and the West. In an exclusive interview to PTI Videos earlier this week, Italy's special envoy for IMEC, Francesco Talo' also said the ambitious project was started with a 'lot of hope" and such initiatives are needed especially in times of volatility and uncertainty driven by global security challenges. Talo', a seasoned diplomat, visited India recently to take part in a meeting of representatives of countries which are partners in the IMEC initiative, which was was firmed up on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi in September 2023. 'India is certainly crucial, because it's a huge market. It's a huge producer. So, on both aspects, it is very important. Then you know that IMEC is, let's say, a network of connectivity. I like to speak more about a network than a corridor, because it's more complicated than a one way point-to-point link," he told PTI in the interview hosted at the Italian Embassy here. This project is very much about trade, and of course goods, exchange of goods, as also very much about energy and data. And, 'India is a protagonist in all three sectors," he said. So, of course, 'you (India) are important", more and more as an industrial country, as a recipient market, but also as a hub for technology, and therefore from India, data, the connectivity of data, the digital connections are very important, the envoy underlined. 'So we are linking India to Europe. And, here together we can be really the main actors. You know that there is a cable (project) called Blue Raman which is going to connect Mumbai with Italian harbour of Genoa in the Mediterranean, and then from Genoa all over Europe. This is crucial because data is practically the fuel of the 21st century," Talo' said. He emphasised the critical role of digital connectivity besides physical connectivity that will help power data centres and lend 'more possibility and strength to our artificial intelligence and to our technologies and economy at large". Then, of course, the exchange of goods, between India and the European Union, which is forecast to 'double in 10 years" as a result of the initiative, he said, without elaborating. And, energy is still absolutely necessary also for the digital economy because data centres need a lot of energy, the envoy added. During his visit to New Delhi, Talo' met the deputy National Security Advisor and a host of other senior officials in the central government. 'I have had meetings with part of the administration, especially with people in the National Security Council and the external affairs ministry. And I'm planning to meet other people today (August 6) in order to better understand the importance of our partner India," he said. Talo' said discussions were held about the possibility that India can produce more and more hydrogen, green hydrogen and possibly not only for domestic consumption, but also to be exported. 'This is valid very much for the Gulf countries. They have a lot of energy, they have a lot of sun, wind so they can produce. On the other hand, in Europe, we need energy. We don't produce enough. So there are, I mean, common interests in this field. Energy, digital connectivity, and of course connectivity," the envoy underlined. And, it's good that in this very city, the 'first meeting" among the special envoys of IMEC was held, the diplomat said. 'I was here when the initiative was launched in September 2023. I was with my Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. And, we had a clear vision of a great opportunity for our countries, for our shared interests," Talo' said, adding, IMEC was started with a 'lot of hope" and it was very much linked to the idea of having important political and economic results. And, this is the moment really to have a 'transition" from a phase of conferences, interviews, and some public events to a 'more concrete phase of action", he asserted. In September 2023, an agreement was signed by India, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the US and some other G20 partners for the corridor. During the interaction, he also shared the reasons for Italy pitching its coastal city of Trieste as a 'possible principal hub" in this corridor. On France also pitching to have Marseille, perhaps as a terminal on this corridor, Talo' said, 'Well, I think that we need to have several terminals. Actually, I understand that in India there might be several ports." EU signatories Italy, France, and Germany are partners in this transnational connectivity project, and the envoy said Rome is working with the spirit of 'Team Europe". Talo' shared that Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani plans to organise an IMEC-related meeting in Trieste, 'by the end of this year". 'It is not something formal with all the ministers. It's mainly intended to present Trieste as a great opportunity, as an ideal hub for IMEC. It will be dedicated to the business community and also to some ministers," he said. Asked if External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be invited for the meeting, he said, 'Of course, the Indian minister would really be the main actor…, but it's not going to be a formal meeting." PTI KND NB NB (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: August 10, 2025, 10:15 IST News agency-feeds India is certainly crucial in IMEC project: Italys envoy Francesco Talo Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hans India
5 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Initiatives like IMEC needed especially in times of volatility, uncertainty: Italy's envoy Talo'
New Delhi: The ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor project was started with a "lot of hope" and such initiatives are needed especially in times of volatility and uncertainty driven by global security challenges, Italy's envoy for IMEC, Francesco Talo' said. In an exclusive interview to PTI Videos at the Italian Embassy here on Wednesday, he also said that less than a month after its launch in New Delhi in 2023, there was a "terrible attack" against Israel on October 7, and this impacted the project. "Therefore, things were slipping, frozen. But, now there is a renewed interest," the envoy said. The Israel-Hamas conflict still goes on, and the Middle East (or West Asia) region has seen wide-scale volatility and uncertainty over the last two years, including the recent twelve-day military confrontation between Israel and Iran in June. "I would say that especially in times of volatility or uncertainty, we need projects like this (IMEC). We need to have a differentiation. We need to be ready to play on different grounds. So, not to be conditioned only by one route, by one interlocutor," Talo' told PTI in the interview. Cautioning that in times of great inter-dependence today, he underlined that one needs to be on one hand "not too dependent" on any one option, and on the other hand, need to live in a system of inter-dependence. Talo', a seasoned diplomat, visited India earlier this week to take part in a meeting of representatives of countries which are partners in the IMEC initiative. He also met India's deputy National Security Advisor. "I have had meetings with part of the administration, especially with people in the National Security Council and the external affairs ministry. And I'm planning to meet other people today (Wednesday) in order to better understand the importance of our partner India," he added. So it's good that in this very city, the "first meeting" among the special envoys of IMEC was held, the diplomat said. "I was here when the initiative was launched in September 2023. I was with my Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. And, we had a clear vision of a great opportunity for our countries, for our shared interests," Talo' said, adding, IMEC was started with a "lot of hope" and it was very much linked to the idea of having important political and economic results. And, this is the moment really to have a "transition" from a phase of conferences, interviews, and some public events to a "more concrete phase of action", he asserted. Billed as a pathbreaking initiative, the IMEC envisages a vast road, railroad and shipping networks among Saudi Arabia, India, the US and Europe with an aim to ensure integration among Asia, Middle East and the West. The IMEC initiative was firmed up on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi in September 2023. An agreement was signed by India, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the US and some other G20 partners for the corridor. EU signatories Italy, France, and Germany are partners in this transnational connectivity project. Many strategic affairs watchers have described the IMEC as perhaps an answer to China's massive Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a mega infrastructure and connectivity project that will involve a large number of countries. Asked about his views on BRI, Talo' described it as "another project" and different from IMEC. "They are different by nature. Their members are different. So, I don't want to.. I don't like the idea of presenting IMEC as something against them. It's something for us, for our partners, for our peoples. And, then there can be other initiatives," he said. Italy had joined BRI in 2019. According to international reports, it had announced its withdrawal from it, four years later. Talo' emphasised that when it comes to realising the IMEC vision, there are financial challenges and practical infrastructure challenges. "It involves several countries. We all know that it's not going to be simple," he said. "But it could be a great opportunity, because we see great prospects of growth for all of us," the envoy said. Talo' underlined that one cannot have real security and peace "when only one nation is rich". There is need for entire region to grow, and of course innovation can somehow be the lead for these changes for the better. "We are already seeing this in India," he said. The Gulf countries are also important protagonists, actors in innovation. "We can do it all together, and this will also benefit countries which have more problems," the envoy said, adding, this can somehow also "contribute to the peace process". During the interaction, he also shared the reasons for Italy pitching its coastal city of Trieste as a "possible principal hub" in this corridor. Also, India, the Middle East, and at least Italy and the Mediterranean countries in the same region, which "I like to call the Indo-Mediterranean region, we have a common interest that is an area of growing prosperity where, for instance, navigation and trade is free and open", Talo' said. Italy, along with three other IMEC partner countries are also part of the powerful G7. "Of course, the G7 countries can offer a contribution... Furthermore, I think it's important to take into account the role of the European Union with its Global Gateway initiative. So, the idea is that IMEC can be put under the umbrella of the Global Gateway," he said. In November 2024, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in his address, on the occasion of inauguration of the new Chancery of the Embassy of India in Rome, had referred to the proposed India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The minister had said that this connectivity corridor, which was agreed to in principle during India's presidency of the G20, will be a game changer between Europe and Asia.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Initiatives like IMEC needed especially in times of volatility, uncertainty: Italy's envoy Talo'
New Delhi, The ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor project was started with a "lot of hope" and such initiatives are needed especially in times of volatility and uncertainty driven by global security challenges, Italy's envoy for IMEC, Francesco Talo' said. Initiatives like IMEC needed especially in times of volatility, uncertainty: Italy's envoy Talo' In an exclusive interview to PTI Videos at the Italian Embassy here on Wednesday, he also said that less than a month after its launch in New Delhi in 2023, there was a "terrible attack" against Israel on October 7, and this impacted the project. "Therefore, things were slipping, frozen. But, now there is a renewed interest," the envoy said. The Israel-Hamas conflict still goes on, and the Middle East region has seen wide-scale volatility and uncertainty over the last two years, including the recent twelve-day military confrontation between Israel and Iran in June. "I would say that especially in times of volatility or uncertainty, we need projects like this . We need to have a differentiation. We need to be ready to play on different grounds. So, not to be conditioned only by one route, by one interlocutor," Talo' told PTI in the interview. Cautioning that in times of great inter-dependence today, he underlined that one needs to be on one hand "not too dependent" on any one option, and on the other hand, need to live in a system of inter-dependence. Talo', a seasoned diplomat, visited India earlier this week to take part in a meeting of representatives of countries which are partners in the IMAC initiative. He also met India's deputy National Security Advisor. "I have had meetings with part of the administration, especially with people in the National Security Council and the external affairs ministry. And I'm planning to meet other people today in order to better understand the importance of our partner India," he added. So it's good that in this very city, the "first meeting" among the special envoys of IMEC was held, the diplomat said. "I was here when the initiative was launched in September 2023. I was with my Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. And, we had a clear vision of a great opportunity for our countries, for our shared interests," Talo' said, adding, IMEC was started with a "lot of hope" and it was very much linked to the idea of having important political and economic results. And, this is the moment really to have a "transition" from a phase of conferences, interviews, and some public events to a "more concrete phase of action", he asserted. Billed as a pathbreaking initiative, the IMEC envisages a vast road, railroad and shipping networks among Saudi Arabia, India, the US and Europe with an aim to ensure integration among Asia, Middle East and the West. The IMEC initiative was firmed up on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi in September 2023. An agreement was signed by India, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, the United Arab Emirates , the US and some other G20 partners for the corridor. EU signatories Italy, France, and Germany are partners in this transnational connectivity project. Many strategic affairs watchers have described the IMEC as perhaps an answer to China's massive Belt and Road Initiative , a mega infrastructure and connectivity project that will involve a large number of countries. Asked about his views on BRI, Talo' described it as "another project" and different from IMEC. "They are different by nature. Their members are different. So, I don't want to.. I don't like the idea of presenting IMEC as something against them. It's something for us, for our partners, for our peoples. And, then there can be other initiatives," he said. Italy had joined BRI in 2019. According to international reports, it had announced its withdrawal from it, four years later. Talo' emphasised that when it comes to realising the IMEC vision, there are financial challenges and practical infrastructure challenges. "It involves several countries. We all know that it's not going to be simple," he said. "But it could be a great opportunity, because we see great prospects of growth for all of us," the envoy said. Talo' underlined that one cannot have real security and peace "when only one nation is rich". There is need for entire region to grow, and of course innovation can somehow be the lead for these changes for the better. "We are already seeing this in India," he said. The Gulf countries are also important protagonists, actors in innovation. "We can do it all together, and this will also benefit countries which have more problems," the envoy said, adding, this can somehow also "contribute to the peace process". During the interaction, he also shared the reasons for Italy pitching its coastal city of Trieste as a "possible principal hub" in this corridor. Also, India, the Middle East, and at least Italy and the Mediterranean countries in the same region, which "I like to call the Indo-Mediterranean region, we have a common interest that is an area of growing prosperity where, for instance, navigation and trade is free and open", Talo' said. Italy, along with three other IMEC partner countries are also part of the powerful G7. "Of course, the G7 countries can offer a contribution... Furthermore, I think it's important to take into account the role of the European Union with its Global Gateway initiative. So, the idea is that IMEC can be put under the umbrella of the Global Gateway," he said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
