New India-MENA corridor plans unveiled at G20 summit : Leaders from the US, Saudi Arabia, India, and the EU inked an MoU for a logistics megaproject that will set up rail and shipping links between South Asia, the Arabian Gulf, and Europe on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Delhi, Reuters reported. The bid comes as the Biden administration looks to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative by presenting itself as an alternative partner for investments in infrastructure, the newswire wrote.

REMEMBER- We first got wind of the American-led initiative in May, when White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan toured the region to drum up support for the project.

What we know so far: The initiative — dubbed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) — will consist of an eastern corridor connecting India to the GCC, and a northern corridor linking GCC states with Europe, according to details from the agreement cited by Reuters. No details concerning the project’s value have so far been revealed.

The route will also lay out the foundations for data infrastructure + clean energy transport: The participating countries will also lay cables for power and data lines along the railway route, as well as pipelines for moving clean hydrogen.

The benefits for the region: The corridor is set to benefit low and middle-income countries in the region, and bring the Middle East into the fold with a significant role in global commerce, US deputy national security adviser Jon Finer said. It also has the potential to lead to a “more stable, more prosperous and integrated Middle East,” US President Joe Biden is quoted as saying.

And the benefits for the rest : “This is nothing but historic,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said (watch, runtime: 00:53) at the summit.The new gateway will provide the most direct connection-to-date between India, the Arabian Gulf, and the EU and will make trade between India and Europe “40% faster,” von der Leyen said. Lower fuel use and reduced transit costs are also expected to be upshots of the initiative, US officials reportedly said.

…And it’s good news for Israel: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cheerily welcomed the announcement of the new logistical corridor which he considers Israel to be a focal point of, according to a statement on X. “Our country Israel will be a central junction in this economic corridor, our railways and our ports will open a new gateway from India through the Middle East to Europe, and back,” Netanyahu said. Aside from obvious economic benefits, the initiative also bolsters Israel’s efforts to seek recognition among Arab states.

REMEMBER- The US has been working to broker a detente between the US and Saudi Arabia, and Netanyahu has affirmed that the two countries can work together towards establishing an economic corridor to benefit the region even before it normalizes ties with the kingdom.

The Biden administration is reportedly hopeful that an agreement can be struck within the next nine to 12 months, as we’ve reported earlier.

Also involved: The UAE will also work alongside Saudi Arabia, India, the US and the EU to establish the corridor,Emirati news agency WAM reports.

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