View source for India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor

{{Short description|Economic corridor}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox organization
| name                 = India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor
| image                = India-Middle East-Europe Economics Corridor.jpg
| caption              = Announcement of India–Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor in New Delhi
| map                  = India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor Map.png
| map_caption          = India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor founder states and location map
| abbreviation         = IMEC
| formation            = {{start date and age|2023|09|09|df=yes}}
| Projected Completion = 
| status               = 
| purpose              = Promote economic development and inter-regional connectivity
| headquarters         = 
| founder              = {{ubl|{{flag|India}}|{{flag|United States}}|{{flag|Saudi Arabia}}|{{flag|United Arab Emirates}}|{{flag|European Union}}|{{flag|France}}|{{flag|Germany}}|{{flag|Italy}}}}
| location             = {{ubl|{{flag|India}}|{{flag|United Arab Emirates}}|{{flag|Saudi Arabia}}|{{flag|Jordan}}|{{flag|Israel}}|{{flag|Greece}}|{{flag|European Union}}}}
| main_organ           = 
| affiliations         = 
| website              = {{Official URL}}
}}

The '''India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor''' (commonly abbreviated as '''IMEC'''; sometimes also referred to as '''IMEEC'''){{Efn|Also occasionally abbreviated as '''IMEEC''' in media and policy discussions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-13 |title=What is India-Middle East-Europe Corridor and how will it benefit India? |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/what-is-india-middle-east-europe-corridor-and-how-will-it-benefit-india-2679305-2025-02-13 |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=India Today |language=en |archive-date=1 January 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260101143502/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/what-is-india-middle-east-europe-corridor-and-how-will-it-benefit-india-2679305-2025-02-13 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Chaudhury |first=Dipanjan Roy |date=2024-11-25 |title=IMEEC progressing despite conflicts, says EAM Jaishankar |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/imeec-progressing-despite-conflicts-says-eam-jaishankar/articleshow/115669255.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2025-03-09 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389 |archive-date=16 July 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250716064723/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/imeec-progressing-despite-conflicts-says-eam-jaishankar/articleshow/115669255.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }}</ref>}} is a planned connectivity project that aims to bolster economic development by fostering connectivity and [[economic integration]] between [[Asia]], the [[Persian Gulf]] and [[Europe]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Siddiqui |first=Huma |date=2023-09-10 |title=World leaders launch India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor seen as counter to China's BRI |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/defence-world-leaders-launch-india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor-seen-as-counter-to-chinas-bri-3238862/ |access-date=2023-09-09 |website=Financialexpress |language=en |quote=The IMEC aims to bolster economic development by fostering connectivity and economic integration between Asia, the Arabian Gulf, and Europe. |archive-date=20 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920150322/https://www.financialexpress.com/business/defence-world-leaders-launch-india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor-seen-as-counter-to-chinas-bri-3238862/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=New economic corridor to connect Asia, Europe & US|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/2023/sep/10/new-economic-corridor-to-connect-asia-europe-us-2613322.html|access-date=2023-09-09|website=The New Indian Express|date=9 September 2023|archive-date=17 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917180456/https://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/2023/sep/10/new-economic-corridor-to-connect-asia-europe-us-2613322.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Part of this project is the building of an economic corridor. This corridor is a proposed infrastructure route from [[India]] to Europe through the [[United Arab Emirates]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Israel]], and [[Greece]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Ram |date=2023-09-11 |title=A corridor of immense promise |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/a-corridor-of-immense-promise/article67296263.ece |access-date=2023-09-16 |website=BusinessLine |language=en |archive-date=27 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927124337/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/a-corridor-of-immense-promise/article67296263.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> The route draws on what is now described as the ancient [[The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World|Golden Road]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trieste and the New Golden Road |url=https://nationalinterest.org/feature/trieste-and-the-new-golden-road |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=The National Interest |language=en-US |archive-date=8 February 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260208075711/https://nationalinterest.org/feature/trieste-and-the-new-golden-road |url-status=live }}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:IMEC_and_its_connections.png|thumb|right|IMEC and its connections]]

=== Diplomatic foundations ===
The diplomatic foundations of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor rest on decades of evolving geopolitical realignments. Early groundwork began with India's 2005 "Look West" policy, which improved bilateral relations between New Delhi and Gulf nations<ref name="EUISS_IMEC_20242">{{cite report |url=https://www.iss.europa.eu/publications/briefs |title=From Hype to Horizon: What the EU needs to know to bring IMEC to life |last1=Ghanem |first1=Dalia |last2=Sánchez-Cacicedo |first2=Amaia |date=June 2024 |publisher=European Union Institute for Security Studies |issue=10 |doi=10.2815/806125 |isbn=978-92-9462-252-3 |issn=2315-1110 |access-date=2026-04-29 |series=Brief}}</ref><ref name="Hameed_IMEC_20242">{{cite journal |last=Hameed |first=Sameena |date=2024 |title=Israel as India's Pivot in the IMEC |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/23477989241293556 |journal=Contemporary Review of the Middle East |publisher=SAGE Publications |volume=11 |issue=4 |pages=511–525 |doi=10.1177/23477989241293556 |access-date=2026-04-29}}</ref>. Policy briefs by prominent think tanks also report that the 2020 Abraham Accords have been influential, as they normalized ties between Israel and several Arab states and therefore paved the way for further integration<ref name="Hameed_IMEC_20242" /><ref name="Shafer_Hussein_IMEC_2025">{{cite report |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/The-India-Middle-East-Europe-Economic-Corridor-Connectivity-in-an-era-of-geopolitical-uncertainty.pdf |title=The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor: Connectivity in an era of geopolitical uncertainty |last1=Shafer |first1=Nicholas |last2=Hussein |first2=Afaq |date=March 2025 |publisher=Atlantic Council |location=Washington, DC |access-date=2026-04-29 |series=N7 Initiative}}</ref>. This shift directly facilitated the 2022 creation of the I2U2 grouping, comprising India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and the United States<ref name="EUISS_IMEC_20242" /><ref name="Hameed_IMEC_20242" /><ref name="Shafer_Hussein_IMEC_2025" />. The I2U2 grouping serves as IMEC's conceptual precursor as these joint diplomatic engagements set the stage for the corridor's formal 2023 announcement<ref name="EUISS_IMEC_20242" /><ref name="Shafer_Hussein_IMEC_2025" />. 

=== The 2023 Memorandum of Understanding ===
The IMEC was officially announced by India during the G20 Summit in [[New Delhi]] in 2023<ref name=":1">Memorandum of Understanding on the principles of an India-Middle East Europe Economic Corridor. https://www.mea.gov.in/Images/CPV/Project-Gateway-Multilateral-MOU.pdf, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, 9 September 2023, Accessed 22 April 2026</ref>. During this summit, the representatives of the governments of [[India]], [[United States|the United States]], [[United Arab Emirates|the United Arab Emirates]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Italy]] and [[European Union|the European Union]] signed a Memorandum of Understanding<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 September 2023 |title='Game-changer': India-Middle East economic corridor unveiled at G20 |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/9/g20-summit-transport-project-to-link-india-to-middle-east-europe-unveiled |access-date=2023-09-10 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en |archive-date=19 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019034920/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/9/g20-summit-transport-project-to-link-india-to-middle-east-europe-unveiled |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ellis-Petersen |first=Hannah |date=2023-09-09 |title=G20: EU and US back trade corridor linking Europe, Middle East and India |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/09/g20-eu-and-us-back-trade-corridor-linking-europe-middle-east-and-india |access-date=2023-09-10 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=20 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920231116/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/09/g20-eu-and-us-back-trade-corridor-linking-europe-middle-east-and-india |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gonultas |first=Bahattin |date=10 September 2023 |title=7 countries, EU sign memorandum of understanding for trade corridor linking Europe, Middle East and India |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/7-countries-eu-sign-memorandum-of-understanding-for-trade-corridor-linking-europe-middle-east-and-india/2988027 |access-date=2023-09-10 |website=www.aa.com.tr |archive-date=14 September 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250914111416/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/7-countries-eu-sign-memorandum-of-understanding-for-trade-corridor-linking-europe-middle-east-and-india/2988027 |url-status=live }}</ref>. While not formal signatories, Jordan and Israel are implicitly included as essential transit nodes for the proposed route<ref name="Hameed_IMEC_2024">{{cite journal |last=Hameed |first=Sameena |date=2024 |title=Israel as India's Pivot in the IMEC |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/23477989241293556 |journal=Contemporary Review of the Middle East |publisher=SAGE Publications |volume=11 |issue=4 |pages=511–525 |doi=10.1177/23477989241293556 |access-date=2026-04-29}}</ref><ref name="ISPI_IMEC_2026">{{cite report |url=https://www.ispionline.it |title=IMEC: The Backbone of an Indo-Mediterranean Region. Italy and the Future of Transcontinental Connectivity |last1=Fasulo |first1=Filippo |last2=Missaglia |first2=Nicola |last3=Talbot |first3=Valeria |date=March 2026 |publisher=Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) |location=Milan |isbn=9791282173032 |access-date=2026-04-29 |contribution=RIA}}</ref>. The agreement currently still functions as a broad declaration of intent, since it still lacks a detailed funding plan or concrete implementation mechanism<ref name="Bonifazi_2024">{{cite report |url= |title=Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC): a comparative analysis of rising commercial and geopolitical strategies |last1=Bonifazi |first1=Alessandro |last2=Ubiali |first2=Enrico |last3=Vicari |first3=Matteo |last4=Liu |first4=Jie |date=2024 |access-date=2026-04-29 |type=Comparative case study |institution=Niccolò Cusano University; University of Bergamo; London School of Economics; Shandong Technology and Business University}}</ref><ref name="Bonifazi_20242">{{cite report |title=Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC): a comparative analysis of rising commercial and geopolitical strategies |last1=Bonifazi |first1=Alessandro |last2=Ubiali |first2=Enrico |last3=Vicari |first3=Matteo |last4=Liu |first4=Jie |date=2024 |access-date=2026-04-29 |type=Comparative case study |institution=Niccolò Cusano University; University of Bergamo; London School of Economics; Shandong Technology and Business University}}</ref>. 

=== Progress ===
The project was launched to bolster transportation and communication links between Europe and Asia through rail and shipping networks and is seen as a counter to China's [[Belt and Road Initiative]]. The memorandum of understanding document has only mapped out the potential geography of a corridor and will compete against the current trade route going through the [[Suez Canal]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-10-02 |title=Can India-Europe corridor rival China's Belt and Road? |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-66957019 |access-date=2023-10-02 |archive-date=20 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020061421/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-66957019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The project had been delayed due to the ongoing [[Gaza war]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-10-11 |title=Will the Israeli war sink India's ambitious counter to China? |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/will-the-israeli-war-sink-indias-ambitious-counter-to-china/articleshow/104346053.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-10-12 |issn=0013-0389 |archive-date=12 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012182326/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/will-the-israeli-war-sink-indias-ambitious-counter-to-china/articleshow/104346053.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-11 |title=India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor may get delayed over Gaza war |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor-may-get-delayed-as-israel-gaza-war-escalates-experts-11510361.html |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=Moneycontrol |language=en |archive-date=12 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012182330/https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor-may-get-delayed-as-israel-gaza-war-escalates-experts-11510361.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The route is currently being used to bypass the [[Red Sea crisis|Houthi blockade]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/houthi-bypass-quietly-goods-forge-overland-path-to-israel-via-saudi-arabia-jordan/|title=Houthi bypass: Quietly, goods forge overland path to Israel via Saudi Arabia, Jordan|first=Sharon Wrobel|last=page|website=[[The Times of Israel]]|issn=0040-7909|archive-date=29 March 2024|access-date=1 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329042056/https://www.timesofisrael.com/houthi-bypass-quietly-goods-forge-overland-path-to-israel-via-saudi-arabia-jordan/|url-status=live}}</ref> and is widely seen as a way to future proof the India-Europe-US supply chain avoiding the Suez canal.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shenoy |first=Vas |date=2024-09-20 |title=The confluence of the two seas: India-Italy partnership over IMEEC and Mediterranean |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/et-commentary/the-confluence-of-the-two-seas-india-italy-partnership-over-imeec-and-mediterranean/articleshow/113527179.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-11-14 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389 |archive-date=29 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250129034314/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/et-commentary/the-confluence-of-the-two-seas-india-italy-partnership-over-imeec-and-mediterranean/articleshow/113527179.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2024, the [[Indo-Mediterranean]] Initiative (IMI) was started, aiming to track the progress of IMEC.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-17 |title=India and Italy strengthen ties with Indo-Mediterranean initiative |url=https://www.wionews.com/world/india-and-italy-strengthen-ties-with-indo-mediterranean-initiative-732626 |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=WION |language=en-us |archive-date=5 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251205220015/https://www.wionews.com/world/india-and-italy-strengthen-ties-with-indo-mediterranean-initiative-732626 |url-status=live }}</ref>

IMEC got a new lease and enthusiasm has returned to the project during Indian Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]]'s first visit to the White House after the inauguration of President [[Donald Trump]]. "We agreed to work together to help build one of the greatest trade routes in all of history. It will run from India to Israel to Italy and onward to the US, connecting our partners, roads, railways and undersea cables, many many undersea cables." said the US President.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-02-14 |title='PM Modi is a much tougher negotiator than me, not even a contest,' says Trump |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pm-modi-is-a-much-tougher-negotiator-than-me-not-even-a-contest-says-trump/articleshow/118230276.cms |access-date=2025-03-02 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

During European Commission President [[Ursula von der Leyen|Von der Leyen]]'s visit to India on Feb 27–28 2025, both leaders agreed on the importance of IMEC, the excerpt of the joint statement read: "Undertake concrete steps for the realization of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) announced during the G20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Leaders' Statement following the visit of President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and College of Commissioners to India, 27-28 February 2025 |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_25_647 |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=European Commission - European Commission}}</ref>

There has been healthy competition between European countries for IMEC's European terminal with France ([[Marseille|Marseilles]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Macron pitches France as India's European trade gateway – DW – 02/14/2025 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/macron-pitches-france-as-indias-european-trade-gateway/a-71605928 |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=dw.com |language=en |archive-date=23 July 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250723082507/https://www.dw.com/en/macron-pitches-france-as-indias-european-trade-gateway/a-71605928 |url-status=live }}</ref>), Greece ([[Piraeus]]/[[Thessaloniki]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Contributor |first=Guest |date=2025-02-25 |title=Greek Ports And The IMEC Puzzle |url=https://greekcitytimes.com/2025/02/25/greek-ports-and-the-imec-puzzle/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |language=en-GB |archive-date=12 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250612154903/https://greekcitytimes.com/2025/02/25/greek-ports-and-the-imec-puzzle/ |url-status=live }}</ref>) and Italy ([[Trieste]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shenoy |first=Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata and Vas |date=2025-02-10 |title=Trieste as pillar of IMEC for Europe could create a new Golden Road for India |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/trieste-as-pillar-of-imec-for-europe-could-create-a-new-golden-road-for-india/articleshow/118117924.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2025-03-02 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389 |archive-date=9 February 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260209162445/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/trieste-as-pillar-of-imec-for-europe-could-create-a-new-golden-road-for-india/articleshow/118117924.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }}</ref>) being candidates. The 2025 Trieste Summit has been announced to promote Trieste as a "strategic gateway port" for IMEC.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trieste Summit - The new Golden Road |url=https://triestesummit.org/ |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=Trieste Summit |language=it-IT |archive-date=2 January 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260102181351/https://triestesummit.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

TRENDS Research notes that the project has been offset by several challenges such as the geopolitics of the Middle East and the [[Tariffs in the second Trump administration|ongoing negotiation between New Delhi and Washington on tariffs]], but has seen progress through local initiatives such as [[Comprehensive economic partnership agreement|Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement]] (CEPA) between India and the United Arab Emirates.<ref>{{Cite web|title=IMEC on Pause: How and When the Corridor Can Regain Momentum Amid India-U.S. Friction|url=https://trendsresearch.org/insight/imec-on-pause-how-and-when-the-corridor-can-regain-momentum-amid-india-u-s-friction/|website=trendsresearch.org|access-date=2026-01-28|language=en}}</ref>

The signing of a long awaited EU-India trade deal in January 2026 is expected to give IMEC extra momentum.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-01-27 |title=As Trump watches on, India and EU lock in 'mother of all deals' |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-28/what-is-in-the-eu-india-free-trade-deal/106276554 |access-date=2026-01-29 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU |archive-date=28 January 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260128183631/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-28/what-is-in-the-eu-india-free-trade-deal/106276554 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Reactions ==
IMEC is viewed positively by participating countries, with expectations to support economic development, connectivity, and potentially rebalance trade and economic relations between the EU and China.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=The India-Middle East-Europe Corridor in Europe’s Indo-Pacific Strategy |url=https://thediplomat.com/2023/09/the-india-middle-east-europe-corridor-in-europes-indo-pacific-strategy/ |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US |archive-date=1 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001015350/https://thediplomat.com/2023/09/the-india-middle-east-europe-corridor-in-europes-indo-pacific-strategy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> As per ''Bradley Intelligence Report,'' Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates don't see IMEC as a challenge to China but as a diversification of their economies, strengthening their positions as inter-regional connectivity hubs and maximizing their geopolitical influence across Asia and Europe.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DC (ACW) |first=Arab Center Washington |date=2023-08-16 |title=The Geopolitics of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor |url=https://arabcenterdc.org/resource/the-geopolitics-of-the-india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor/ |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=Arab Center Washington DC |language=en-US |archive-date=9 February 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260209230801/https://arabcenterdc.org/resource/the-geopolitics-of-the-india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor: Prospects and Challenges for U.S. Businesses |url=https://www.bradley.com/insights/publications/2023/10/the-india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor-prospects-and-challenges-for-us-businesses |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=www.bradley.com |archive-date=16 October 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251016225910/https://www.bradley.com/insights/publications/2023/10/the-india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor-prospects-and-challenges-for-us-businesses |url-status=live }}</ref> However, according to an analysis from the [[Institute for National Security Studies (Israel)|Institute for National Security Studies]], the UAE sees IMEC as a practical concept that can be readily integrated into its existing infrastructure and logistics network, while Saudi Arabia sees it as an strategic asset and future project.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The IMEC Initiative: Economic Potential Contingent on Political Considerations |url=https://www.inss.org.il/publication/imec/ |access-date=2026-01-28 |website=INSS |language=en-US |archive-date=16 November 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251116010212/https://www.inss.org.il/publication/imec/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 

Chinese analysts were critical of the announcement, mentioning its "organizational fragility and lack of developing country focus, alluding to the BRI’s clear first-mover advantage, IMEC’s overreliance on maritime transport and lack of overland connectivity, and its exclusion of Iran and Turkiye."<ref>{{Cite web|title=China’s Take on IMEC|url=https://thediplomat.com/2025/02/chinas-take-on-imec/|website=thediplomat.com|access-date=2026-01-28|language=en-US|archive-date=18 December 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251218135941/https://thediplomat.com/2025/02/chinas-take-on-imec/|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2023, Turkish president [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan|Recep Tayyip Erdogan]] criticised the project for bypassing [[Turkey]], and vowed for an alternative route, the "[[Iraq–Europe Development Road|Iraq–Europe Development Road Project]]", which is envisaged to connect the [[Persian Gulf]] with Europe through railway and highway via ports in the UAE, [[Qatar]], and [[Iraq]], including the under-construction [[Grand Faw Port]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Soylu |first1=Ragip |title=Turkey's Erdogan opposes India-Middle East transport project |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-erdogan-opposes-india-middle-east-corridor |access-date=17 September 2023 |publisher=[[Middle East Eye]] |date=11 September 2023 |archive-date=12 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912032315/https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-erdogan-opposes-india-middle-east-corridor |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 2024, Israel's [[Prime Minister of Israel|Prime Minister]] [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] called the corridor a "[[blessing]]" for the Middle East, and referred to [[Iran]] along with its allies as a "[[curse]]" in his address to the 79th session of the [[United Nations General Assembly]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-27 |title='No place in Iran that long arm of Israel cannot reach': Netanyahu's stern warning to Tehran at UNGA |url=https://www.firstpost.com/world/no-place-in-iran-that-the-long-arm-of-israel-cannot-reach-says-netanyahu-at-unga-13819847.html |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=Firstpost |language=en-us |archive-date=29 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240929011955/https://www.firstpost.com/world/no-place-in-iran-that-the-long-arm-of-israel-cannot-reach-says-netanyahu-at-unga-13819847.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Berman |first=Lazar |date=September 28, 2024 |title=Netanyahu holds up maps illustrating the ‘blessing’ and ‘curse’ facing Mideast |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/netanyahu-holds-up-maps-illustrating-the-blessing-and-curse-facing-mideast/ |access-date=September 28, 2024 |work=[[The Times of Israel]] |archive-date=28 September 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250928053732/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/netanyahu-holds-up-maps-illustrating-the-blessing-and-curse-facing-mideast/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2025, Italy appointed Ambassador Francesco Maria Talò as Italy’s Special Envoy for the corridor.<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2025-04-08 |title=Prospects for peace in the Middle East |url=https://eccoclimate.org/prospects-for-peace-in-the-middle-east-via-the-india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor/ |access-date=2026-01-28 |website=ECCO |language=en-US |archive-date=6 September 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250906141938/https://eccoclimate.org/prospects-for-peace-in-the-middle-east-via-the-india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Blue Dot Network]]
* [[Build Back Better World]]
* [[Global Gateway]]
* [[Bharatmala#IntEcoCordList|India's International connectivity projects]]
* [[Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}{{Notelist}}
[[Category:Indian Ocean trade]]
[[Category:Trade routes]]
[[Category:International road networks]]
[[Category:International rail transport]]
[[Category:Third-country relations of the European Union]]
[[Category:India–European Union relations]]
[[Category:Foreign relations of India]]
[[Category:Foreign relations of the Middle East]]
[[Category:2023 G20 New Delhi summit]]
[[Category:Strategic corridors]]