The G20 summit on September 9, 2023 saw the announcement of an ambitious project to connect India to Europe via the Middle East. The India-Middle East-Europe connectivity corridor is the first of its kind and was announced under the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the corridor would make India a medium for economic integration between West Asia and Europe. He also said that the corridor would be a beacon of cooperation, innovation, and shared progress.
Advancing Infrastructure Growth, Enhancing Connectivity!
On the sidelines of the G20 Summit, PM @narendramodi and other leaders joined a special event on Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment & India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.
It will facilitate… pic.twitter.com/jb1wnDOIor
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 9, 2023
US President Joe Biden called the corridor a “real big deal” and said that the United States would work with partners to invest in it. French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the decision and said that it was a very important project for Asia, the Middle East, and India. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the corridor would make trade faster.
The countries involved in the project include the United States, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Italy, and the European Union. The corridor would link railways and port facilities across the Middle East, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel.
The project has the potential to speed up trade between India and Europe. It is also expected to create jobs and boost economic growth in the region.
The US will invest in a new rail line from Angola towards the Indian Ocean in this project. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed committing the two countries to work together to develop the corridor.
The White House said that America aims to usher in a new era of connectivity with a railway, linked through ports connecting Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. It will unlock new investments from partners, including the private sector, and spur the creation of quality jobs.
The India-Middle East-Europe connectivity corridor is a major initiative that has the potential to transform the region. It is a testament to the growing cooperation between India and the United States, as well as the shared commitment to economic development and connectivity.