India and Italy will jointly celebrate 2027 as the “Year of Culture and Tourism” in a major cultural diplomacy initiative aimed at strengthening people-to-people ties and civilisational dialogue between the two nations.
Speaking during a joint press conference in Rome alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the initiative would expand cultural exchanges, deepen mutual understanding, and reinforce long-term bilateral engagement beyond politics and trade.
Meloni emphasized that strong international partnerships are built not only through economic and strategic cooperation, but also through deeper societal and cultural connections.
Focus on IMEC Connectivity Corridor
Both leaders also reiterated support for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), describing it as a transformative economic and connectivity project linking Europe, the Middle East, and India.
Meloni noted that IMEC — unveiled during the G20 New Delhi Summit — has the potential to:
- Strengthen trade and investment flows
- Improve supply-chain resilience
- Create new business opportunities
- Enhance regional interconnectivity between Europe, the Middle East, and India
She added that both countries share aligned views on several global priorities, including:
- International stability
- Economic security
- Resilient supply chains
- Peace and inclusive development
The announcement signals growing strategic convergence between India and Italy across culture, connectivity, and geopolitical cooperation.
