How the India-Middle-East-Europe Corridor rivals BRI
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

How the India-Middle-East-Europe Corridor rivals BRI

India's Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, shared insights on the proposed India-Middle-East-Europe Corridor in an exclusive interview with NDTV. Unlike China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has raised concerns about debt traps, Vaishnaw emphasised that this G20 project would generate revenue and prove financially viable. He stressed that the corridor aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of inclusivity, "sabka saath sabka vikas."

The India-Middle-East-Europe Corridor, often regarded as a response to the BRI, has garnered interest as a potential new Spice Route with US backing. However, some European nations remain sceptical. Italy, the only G7 nation to sign up initially, is reportedly reconsidering its participation due to concerns about debt-related challenges faced by host countries.

Vaishnaw pointed out that the G20 project offers more flexibility, allowing each participating country to tailor its involvement according to its specific needs. He expressed confidence in the corridor's financial viability, with multiple multilateral institutions showing interest in funding it. Vaishnaw suggested that the project's transportation component would generate substantial revenue, ensuring that host countries avoid falling into a debt trap.

This ambitious project, announced during the G20 summit, aims to connect railways, ports, electricity networks, data infrastructure, and hydrogen pipelines. By linking railway and port facilities across the Middle East, including countries like the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel, the corridor could potentially expedite trade between India and Europe by up to 40 per cent while bypassing the Suez Canal.

India's Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, shared insights on the proposed India-Middle-East-Europe Corridor in an exclusive interview with NDTV. Unlike China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has raised concerns about debt traps, Vaishnaw emphasised that this G20 project would generate revenue and prove financially viable. He stressed that the corridor aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of inclusivity, sabka saath sabka vikas.The India-Middle-East-Europe Corridor, often regarded as a response to the BRI, has garnered interest as a potential new Spice Route with US backing. However, some European nations remain sceptical. Italy, the only G7 nation to sign up initially, is reportedly reconsidering its participation due to concerns about debt-related challenges faced by host countries.Vaishnaw pointed out that the G20 project offers more flexibility, allowing each participating country to tailor its involvement according to its specific needs. He expressed confidence in the corridor's financial viability, with multiple multilateral institutions showing interest in funding it. Vaishnaw suggested that the project's transportation component would generate substantial revenue, ensuring that host countries avoid falling into a debt trap.This ambitious project, announced during the G20 summit, aims to connect railways, ports, electricity networks, data infrastructure, and hydrogen pipelines. By linking railway and port facilities across the Middle East, including countries like the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel, the corridor could potentially expedite trade between India and Europe by up to 40 per cent while bypassing the Suez Canal.

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Apollo Green Energy targets Rs 100 billion in renewables

Apollo Green Energy Limited (AGEL), a subsidiary of Apollo International Group, is set to grow its renewable energy portfolio to Rs 100 billion by 2025, with plans for an initial public offering (IPO) to fuel this expansion. AGEL currently holds an order book of Rs 35 billion and manages Rs 25 billion in solar projects across several states. Operating in eight states, AGEL’s portfolio includes 400 MW of solar power installations and a Rs 7 billion Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) project aimed at reducing emissions in power generation. These projects support India’s ambitious target of reac..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Kolkata Metro’s Orange Line Phase II deadline moved to March 2025

The completion date for the Orange Line's Phase II extension, stretching from Ruby to Sector V, has been shifted to March 2025. Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd. (RVNL), the agency overseeing the project, initially aimed for a December 2024 deadline but cited a delay in bridging an 800-meter viaduct gap at Chingrighata as the reason for the revised schedule. Work to bridge an additional 125-meter gap at Metropolitan is ongoing. Despite land challenges at locations such as Tagore Park, Chingrighata, and Nicco Park, the corridor received safety approval from the Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) for opera..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Solar efficiency, cost cuts vital for energy transition: Pralhad Joshi

Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, emphasised the global focus on advancing solar technology to achieve significant cost reductions and efficiency gains during a conference on clean energy transition. As President of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), he remarked, “The world is united in the energy transition, harnessing global efforts.” Joshi highlighted the need for more efficient solar technology, stating, “Traditional solar panels typically convert only 15-20% of sunlight to electricity, but innovations like bifacial panels and solar paint are increasin..

Hi There!

"Now get regular updates from CW Magazine on WhatsApp!

Join the CW WhatsApp channel for the latest news, industry events, expert insights, and project updates from the construction and infrastructure industry.

Click the link below to join"

+91 81086 03000