In a significant announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as a groundbreaking initiative that would reshape the Middle East, Israel, and have far-reaching global implications. This ambitious corridor, viewed by many as an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), was jointly unveiled by leaders from the US, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Italy, and the European Union during the G20 summit held in New Delhi.
Prime Minister Netanyahu, in a late-night video message, expressed Israel’s central role in this transformative international endeavor, emphasizing that the corridor would connect infrastructure across Asia and Europe. He lauded the collaborative efforts of the United States, India, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and European nations in launching this visionary project.
Netanyahu highlighted the project’s significance, stating that it would commence in India, traverse the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, and ultimately reach Europe. The IMEC represents a substantial network of railways, hydrogen pipelines, fiber optic communications cables, electricity cables, and other vital infrastructure components. Israel, in particular, will play a pivotal role as a central junction for this economic corridor, facilitating trade and connectivity between India, Europe, and the Middle East.
The Israeli Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to US President Joe Biden and his administration for their dedicated efforts in bringing about this historic initiative. He emphasized that the State of Israel would leverage its expertise, resources, and commitment to contribute to this monumental cooperation project. Netanyahu pledged that all government ministries would be mobilized to transform this vision into reality, highlighting the significance of close coordination with the US and other participating nations.
Netanyahu’s announcement signaled a transformative era of global and regional cooperation and engagement, with Israel at the forefront of this monumental initiative. Despite facing internal challenges and protests, Netanyahu remained resolute in portraying this project as a testament to Israel’s ability to navigate the complex global landscape successfully.
This historic endeavor, the IMEC, has the potential to redefine regional dynamics, enhance connectivity, and foster economic growth on an unprecedented scale. Netanyahu’s message reflected the determination of Israel to be an integral part of this transformative journey towards a new era of cooperation and prosperity.
