10th September 2023, Mumbai: In a significant move to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative, US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have unveiled an ambitious plan to create rail and shipping links connecting India with Western Asia and Europe.
Key Highlights from the G-20 Summit
During the G-20 summit, both Biden and Modi presided over the signing of an agreement on the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor on Saturday, 9th September. Leaders from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, the European Union, Italy, France, and Germany were notable witnesses to this landmark agreement.
PM Modi emphasized that connectivity projects should honor regional integrity without imposing a debt burden on nations and should promote financial viability. He further stressed that infrastructure connectivity projects must adhere to environmental norms.
A Look Back at the New Initiative’s Genesis
The new initiative was first hinted at in May 2023 when Jake Sullivan, the US National Security Advisor, met with his Indian counterpart, Ajit Doval, along with NSA representatives from the UAE and Saudi Arabia in Riyadh. The plan includes an eastern corridor connecting India to Western Asia and a northern corridor extending from Western Asia to Europe.