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Italy’s Vice Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Edoardo Rixi Italy’s Vice Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Edoardo Rixi, urged governments and industry leaders to adopt a truly global approach to transnational connectivity, describing it as the “backbone for a globalised, peaceful and prosper world.”Speaking as key-note speaker at the panel “Transnational Connectivity: Shaping Future Strategic Ties,” at the India Maritime Weekin Mumbai on Wednesday alongside India’s Minister of State for Ports Shantanu Thakur, Rixi praised the Indian government’s leadership in advancing dialogue on connectivity. “On behalf of the Italian Government,” he said, “I would like to convey my warmest regards to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for hosting this very significant India Maritime Week,” adding a note of gratitude to Minister of Ports Sarbananda Sonowal “for inviting me to open the floor of this working session.” Rixi had a bilateral meeting with Minister Sonawal after the panel, where Italian companies operating in India in the maritime sector including Fincantieri, Ignazio Messina & c and others participated.Introducing the theme, Rixi reflected on how the world had become accustomed to instant gratification: “For 20 years we have been living under what I like to call the paradigm of the ‘click’. The idea that everyone could make a simple click on his device and activate an efficient machinery which would deliver any type of good in a matter of days. The increasing geopolitical tension across the globe has shown us that making a simple click is not enough anymore.”He stressed that the current phase of global uncertainty — from disrupted trade routes to geopolitical rivalries — demands not virtual efficiency but physical resilience. “Shape Future Strategic Ties,” he noted, “is crucial as maritime connectivity remains the backbone for a globalised, peaceful and prosper world.”Rixi outlined Italy’s ambition to act as the terminal hub of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), positioning the country as a strategic bridge between Asia and Europe. Italy is a natural hub for the Indo-Mediterranean corridor. He detailed the Italian government’s over €200 billion infrastructure plan, part of the “Italia 2032” program, aimed at transforming the peninsula into the logistics hub of the Euro-Mediterranean region.“We are completing the most relevant Trans-European Corridors,” he said, “investing in railways cross-border sections such as the Brenner Base Tunnel and the Turin-Lyon High Speed. This will increase Italy’s capacity to connect the economies of Northern Europe with those of the Indo-Pacific.”, he said.Live EventsPorts, he emphasized, are central to this vision. Italy’s major maritime gateways — notably Genoa and Trieste — are being modernized through investments of over €5 billion, including the construction of Genoa’s new breakwater, to accommodate the largest vessels in global trade. “Italy can rely on 16 ports of national interest,” he reminded, adding, “For many years this was considered a factor of weakness, especially when compared to Northern Europe. Today, ‘redundancy’ is synonymous with ‘resilience’. We believe our Ports Network is capable to respond better to the increasing geopolitical instability.”The Vice Minister highlighted three key policy priorities to safeguard maritime and logistics sectors in a turbulent international landscape. Avoid Regionalisation — “The future of shipping and logistics needs a global vision,” he insisted, warning against fragmented regulatory regimes. “This is why Italy is strongly advocating the European Commission not to introduce rules and standards, such as the Emission Trading Scheme, which risk jeopardising the level playing field on a global scale.” Bridge the “Missing Gaps” — He reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to investing in both physical and digital infrastructure, ensuring interoperability and efficiency across corridors that link continents. Strengthen International Cooperation — Rixi called for deeper coordination through platforms like IMEC and the Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC), describing them as “an historical opportunity to shape future ties,” and underlining that “the role of India is crucial, and we need to row in the same direction.”Rixi’s address positioned Italy not merely as a participant but as a strategic enabler of the Indo-Mediterranean connectivity network. By intertwining infrastructure, technology, and sustainability, his message resonates with both policymakers and industry stakeholders seeking stable pathways through the global economic realignment.“As policymakers, it is our duty to accompany the sector by creating the best legal and economic environment… IMEC and EMC offer us an historical opportunity to ‘Shape Future Ties’. This is why the role of India is crucial, and we need to row in the same direction.” he concluded.Rixi’s participation at the IMW reflects the joint priority between Prime Ministers Modi and Meloni to develop the Indo-Mediterranean relationship. Both countries are peninsulas that are historically connected by their seas. The confluence of the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean has been strategic to the two cultural superpowers. Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) Read More News onmaritime connectivityNarendra ModiLogisticsItaly infrastructure planIndia Maritime WeekEdoardo Rixitransnational connectivityIMEClogistics hub Europe (Catch all the Business News, Breaking News and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online....moreless (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News onmaritime connectivityNarendra ModiLogisticsItaly infrastructure planIndia Maritime WeekEdoardo Rixitransnational connectivityIMEClogistics hub Europe(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online....moreless Prime ExclusivesInvestment IdeasStock Report PlusePaperWealth Edition123View all Stories
