Modi-Macron Talks Put India-Middle East-Europe Corridor Back In Focus

India and France have reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) project, a strategic trade and connectivity initiative aimed at linking India to Europe via sea and land routes, as reported by The Hindu.

IMEC Gains Momentum After Talks Between Modi and Macron

The discussion on IMEC took center stage during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to France, where he attended the Paris AI Action Summit and held bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron.

In a joint statement issued on 12 February, both leaders recalled the launch of IMEC on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi in September 2023 and pledged to work together more closely on its implementation.

The project, which also involves Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, had faced delays due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, but France and India stressed its importance for regional trade and economic growth.

Marseille Set to Play Key Role in IMEC

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri briefed the media about Modi’s visit, stating that after the AI Summit in Paris, the Indian Prime Minister traveled to Marseille aboard the French presidential aircraft.

During an interaction, President Macron underscored Marseille’s pivotal role in the corridor’s future, stating, “Marseille will be the entry point for the whole European market, and IMEC will channel a lot of energy to Marseille.”

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