U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly backed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor as the Iran war exposes the vulnerability of critical shipping and energy routes. Trump said, “Iran’s terrorist attacks on commercial shipping in neighbouring countries have shown the need to shift Middle East energy infrastructure away from the Iranian checkpoints. That’s why my administration strongly supports the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/short-videos/us-president-donald-trump-unveils-new-white-house-helipad-1790071487044">US President Donald Trump unveils new White House helipad</a><h2>From New Delhi to Europe</h2>IMEC was announced at the G20 Summit in New Delhi on September 9, 2023, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then U.S. President Joe Biden, alongside Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the European Union, France, Germany and Italy. The proposed route connects India by sea to the UAE, followed by rail connectivity through Saudi Arabia and Jordan towards Israel’s Mediterranean coast, before connecting by sea to Europe. The broader plan also envisaged electricity, digital and clean-hydrogen infrastructure. But within weeks, the October 7 Hamas attack and the Gaza war transformed West Asia. Saudi-Israeli normalisation stalled and the political environment required to implement IMEC deteriorated.<h2>Why the Iran War Changes the Equation</h2>The current conflict has brought the corridor’s strategic logic back into focus. Disruption around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, has demonstrated the risks of depending heavily on vulnerable maritime routes. IMEC cannot simply replace Hormuz, but alternative transport, pipeline and infrastructure networks could reduce some of the region’s exposure to such chokepoints.Trump’s endorsement is therefore significant. A project launched under Biden is now receiving explicit backing from his successor amid a major regional war.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-in-deciding-mode-on-iran-says-very-big-things-going-to-happen-soon-1789921963152">Trump in ‘deciding mode’ on Iran, says ‘very big things’ going to happen soon</a><h2>India as Both Bridge and Solution</h2>India occupies an unusual position here and here's why. It maintains relations with Iran, deep partnerships with the UAE and Saudi Arabia, growing ties with Israel, and a strategic partnership with the United States. That diplomatic reach was visible during the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, where Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed held their highest-level meeting since the war began. If diplomacy succeeds, India is positioned as a country capable of maintaining channels across competing blocs &nbsp;If war continues, IMEC offers a framework for building alternative infrastructure connectivity linking India, the Gulf and Europe. Whether the region moves towards diplomacy or faces prolonged conflict, India remains pivotal.

US President Donald Trump has backed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor as the Iran war highlights vulnerabilities in key shipping and energy routes. Launched under PM Modi and Joe Biden in 2023, IMEC could gain renewed strategic relevance

U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly backed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor as the Iran war exposes the vulnerability of critical shipping and energy routes. Trump said, “Iran’s terrorist attacks on commercial shipping in neighbouring countries have shown the need to shift Middle East energy infrastructure away from the Iranian checkpoints. That’s why my administration strongly supports the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.” Also Read: US President Donald Trump unveils new White House helipad From New Delhi to Europe IMEC was announced at the G20 Summit in New Delhi on September 9, 2023, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then U.S. President Joe Biden, alongside Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the European Union, France, Germany and Italy. The proposed route connects India by sea to the UAE, followed by rail connectivity through Saudi Arabia and Jordan towards Israel’s Mediterranean coast, before connecting by sea to Europe. The broader plan also envisaged electricity, digital and clean-hydrogen infrastructure. But within weeks, the October 7 Hamas attack and the Gaza war transformed West Asia. Saudi-Israeli normalisation stalled and the political environment required to implement IMEC deteriorated. Why the Iran War Changes the Equation The current conflict has brought the corridor’s strategic logic back into focus. Disruption around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, has demonstrated the risks of depending heavily on vulnerable maritime routes. IMEC cannot simply replace Hormuz, but alternative transport, pipeline and infrastructure networks could reduce some of the region’s exposure to such chokepoints. Trump’s endorsement is therefore significant. A project launched under Biden is now receiving explicit backing from his successor amid a major regional war. Also Read: Trump in ‘deciding mode’ on Iran, says ‘very big things’ going to happen soon India as Both Bridge and Solution India occupies an unusual position here and here's why. It maintains relations with Iran, deep partnerships with the UAE and Saudi Arabia, growing ties with Israel, and a strategic partnership with the United States. That diplomatic reach was visible during the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, where Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed held their highest-level meeting since the war began. If diplomacy succeeds, India is positioned as a country capable of maintaining channels across competing blocs If war continues, IMEC offers a framework for building alternative infrastructure connectivity linking India, the Gulf and Europe. Whether the region moves towards diplomacy or faces prolonged conflict, India remains pivotal.

US President Donald Trump has backed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor as the Iran war highlights vulnerabilities in key shipping and energy routes. Launched under PM Modi and Joe Biden in 2023, IMEC could gain renewed strategic relevance

Trump revives India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor as India emerges central to West Asia’s future: What is it?

Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has expressed optimism for advancing the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), highlighting an improved situation in Gaza as a key enabler for progress on the ambitious infrastructure project. During a visit to New Delhi, his second this year, Tajani met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and described their discussions as "very positive". He emphasised the strategic importance of IMEC, a trade and infrastructure corridor linking India to Europe via the Gulf, Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean. "The meeting with the PM was very positive. Talking on the super relations between India &amp; Italy. On IMEC, on cooperation," Tajani said. "IMEC is a very important infrastructure and trade corridor, from India to Italy through Israel, through gulf, Egypt, through mediterranean sea, through Port of Trieste. This is very very important." Tajani linked the project's revival to regional developments: "Yes, because we are working to stop the situation in Gaza. Now the situation is much better, so it is possible to work, to start. We will start early, we have to work hard with other countries. Italy and India are strongly engaged. Situation in the Middle East is much better. Possible to work in the right direction. India, Italy are on the frontline." He noted recent engagements, including his visits to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where partners expressed support for deeper cooperation, adding: "We are ready for joint ventures with Italy and India." The IMEC initiative, announced at the 2023 G20 summit in New Delhi, has faced delays due to the Gaza conflict and regional tensions. With a fragile ceasefire holding and reduced violence, momentum appears to be building. Earlier, Tajani held talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who welcomed the frequent engagements. "This is your second visit this year, but the fact that you come so often is very welcome for us. It shows a very strong commitment," Jaishankar said. "It has led to a very good relationship between us personally, between our governments, and our partnership which is built on democratic values, respect for our civilizations, for culture, for heritage, and our commitment to a stable, secure and prosperous world." Jaishankar added: "We are really moving forward on the Joint Strategic Action Plan for 2025-29, of which a big part of it was the economic collaboration... I am sure you will have very very good discussions" on areas including defence, maritime security, space and critical technologies. Tajani, speaking to reporters, said PM Georgia Meloni will visit India in 2026. On broader ties, Tajani expressed optimism for an early India-EU free trade agreement: "We have spoken on this. We will push for achieving agreement early, I am optimistic." The visit concludes in Mumbai with an Italy-India Business Forum co-chaired by Tajani and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal.

During Delhi visit, Italian FM Tajani expresses optimism for IMEC Corridor amid improved Gaza situation

Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has expressed optimism for advancing the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), highlighting an improved situation in Gaza as a key enabler for progress on the ambitious infrastructure project. During a visit to New Delhi, his second this year, Tajani met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and described their discussions as "very positive". He emphasised the strategic importance of IMEC, a trade and infrastructure corridor linking India to Europe via the Gulf, Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean. "The meeting with the PM was very positive. Talking on the super relations between India & Italy. On IMEC, on cooperation," Tajani said. "IMEC is a very important infrastructure and trade corridor, from India to Italy through Israel, through gulf, Egypt, through mediterranean sea, through Port of Trieste. This is very very important." Tajani linked the project's revival to regional developments: "Yes, because we are working to stop the situation in Gaza. Now the situation is much better, so it is possible to work, to start. We will start early, we have to work hard with other countries. Italy and India are strongly engaged. Situation in the Middle East is much better. Possible to work in the right direction. India, Italy are on the frontline." He noted recent engagements, including his visits to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where partners expressed support for deeper cooperation, adding: "We are ready for joint ventures with Italy and India." The IMEC initiative, announced at the 2023 G20 summit in New Delhi, has faced delays due to the Gaza conflict and regional tensions. With a fragile ceasefire holding and reduced violence, momentum appears to be building. Earlier, Tajani held talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who welcomed the frequent engagements. "This is your second visit this year, but the fact that you come so often is very welcome for us. It shows a very strong commitment," Jaishankar said. "It has led to a very good relationship between us personally, between our governments, and our partnership which is built on democratic values, respect for our civilizations, for culture, for heritage, and our commitment to a stable, secure and prosperous world." Jaishankar added: "We are really moving forward on the Joint Strategic Action Plan for 2025-29, of which a big part of it was the economic collaboration... I am sure you will have very very good discussions" on areas including defence, maritime security, space and critical technologies. Tajani, speaking to reporters, said PM Georgia Meloni will visit India in 2026. On broader ties, Tajani expressed optimism for an early India-EU free trade agreement: "We have spoken on this. We will push for achieving agreement early, I am optimistic." The visit concludes in Mumbai with an Italy-India Business Forum co-chaired by Tajani and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal.

During a visit to New Delhi, his second this year, Tajani met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and described their discussions as very positive

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Trump revives India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor as India emerges central to West Asia’s future: What is it?

During Delhi visit, Italian FM Tajani expresses optimism for IMEC Corridor