India Budget 2024: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hailed India's G20 presidency and described the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) forged during the New Delhi Leaders' Summit as a "strategic and economic game changer".&nbsp; The connectivity project aims to facilitate the flow of commerce, energy and data to, from and between India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel and Europe.

"India assumed G20 presidency during very difficult times for the world," Sitharaman said in Lok Sabha on Thursday (Feb 1)&nbsp;while presenting India's interim Budget for 2024. The interim budget or the vote-on-account was presented&nbsp;ahead of India's general elections in the spring in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third consecutive term in power.&nbsp;

"The country showed the way forward and built consensus on solutions for those global problems," the Indian finance minister said while referring to the joint statement <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-capitals-delhi-delivers-as-the-voice-of-global-south-634649">delivered</a> as <a href="https://www.mea.gov.in/Images/CPV/G20-New-Delhi-Leaders-Declaration.pdf">G20 New Delhi Leaders' Declaration</a>.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-capitals-delhi-delivers-as-the-voice-of-global-south-634649">The Capitals: Delhi delivers as the voice of Global South</a>

Referring to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), Sitharaman repeated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks that the corridor "will become the basis of world trade for hundreds of years to come, and history will remember that this corridor was initiated on Indian soil".

<img alt="India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/IMEC.png" />

India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor | WION

Finance Minister Sitharaman's remarks came a day after India's President Droupadi Murmu, in her ceremonial address to the parliament ahead of the budget session,&nbsp;hailed the IMEC as an ambitious connectivity initiative. "This corridor will further strengthen India’s maritime capability," President Murmu said.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-middle-east-europe-corridor-will-strengthen-indias-maritime-capability-says-indian-president-murmu-685441">India-Middle East-Europe Corridor will strengthen India’s maritime capability, says Indian President Murmu</a>

The IMEC is the latest in the series of connectivity projects that India is looking to strategically and economically leverage, apart from the North-South International Corridor, and the Chennai-Vladivostok project.&nbsp;

On October 29, 2023, US President Joe Biden described the IMEC as connectivity project aimed at building a "better future for the Middle East", and the one that will make West Asia "more stable, better connected to its neighbours".&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hamas-war-joe-bidens-wartime-address-hails-india-middle-east-europe-corridor-649015">Israel-Hamas war: Joe Biden's wartime address hails India-Middle East-Europe corridor</a>

Biden on October 29,&nbsp;said that with the "innovative projects such as India-Middle East-Europe economic&nbsp;corridor that we announced earlier this year in the summit of the world's biggest economies", the region will benefit with&nbsp;"predictable markets, more employment, less rage, and less grievances."

"IMEC undoubtedly represents a great vision with far-reaching implications. Now it requires to be turned into a long-term, viable project. Initial work has begun. Inevitably it will need time and sustained, multi-national effort for optimal fructification," Rajiv Bhatia, former Indian ambassador and Distinguished Fellow at Mumbai-based Gateway House, told WION.&nbsp;

Sitharaman delivered her sixth consecutive Union&nbsp;Budget speech on Thursday (Feb 1) and pitched the growing economic prospects of the world's fifth-largest economy as an imminent sign of India becoming a developed nation in the coming decades.

India Budget 2024: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hailed India's G20 presidency and described the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) forged during the New Delhi Leaders' Summit as a "strategic and economic game changer".

India Budget 2024: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hailed India's G20 presidency and described the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) forged during the New Delhi Leaders' Summit as a "strategic and economic game changer". The connectivity project aims to facilitate the flow of commerce, energy and data to, from and between India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel and Europe. "India assumed G20 presidency during very difficult times for the world," Sitharaman said in Lok Sabha on Thursday (Feb 1) while presenting India's interim Budget for 2024. The interim budget or the vote-on-account was presented ahead of India's general elections in the spring in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third consecutive term in power. "The country showed the way forward and built consensus on solutions for those global problems," the Indian finance minister said while referring to the joint statement delivered as G20 New Delhi Leaders' Declaration. Also read | The Capitals: Delhi delivers as the voice of Global South Referring to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), Sitharaman repeated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks that the corridor "will become the basis of world trade for hundreds of years to come, and history will remember that this corridor was initiated on Indian soil". India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor | WION Finance Minister Sitharaman's remarks came a day after India's President Droupadi Murmu, in her ceremonial address to the parliament ahead of the budget session, hailed the IMEC as an ambitious connectivity initiative. "This corridor will further strengthen India’s maritime capability," President Murmu said. Also read | India-Middle East-Europe Corridor will strengthen India’s maritime capability, says Indian President Murmu The IMEC is the latest in the series of connectivity projects that India is looking to strategically and economically leverage, apart from the North-South International Corridor, and the Chennai-Vladivostok project. On October 29, 2023, US President Joe Biden described the IMEC as connectivity project aimed at building a "better future for the Middle East", and the one that will make West Asia "more stable, better connected to its neighbours". Also read | Israel-Hamas war: Joe Biden's wartime address hails India-Middle East-Europe corridor Biden on October 29, said that with the "innovative projects such as India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor that we announced earlier this year in the summit of the world's biggest economies", the region will benefit with "predictable markets, more employment, less rage, and less grievances." "IMEC undoubtedly represents a great vision with far-reaching implications. Now it requires to be turned into a long-term, viable project. Initial work has begun. Inevitably it will need time and sustained, multi-national effort for optimal fructification," Rajiv Bhatia, former Indian ambassador and Distinguished Fellow at Mumbai-based Gateway House, told WION. Sitharaman delivered her sixth consecutive Union Budget speech on Thursday (Feb 1) and pitched the growing economic prospects of the world's fifth-largest economy as an imminent sign of India becoming a developed nation in the coming decades.

Budget 2024 extends focus on India-Middle East-Europe corridor as 'strategic and economic game changer'

Addressing the joint session of the Indian Parliament, President Droupadi Murmu highlighted India's increasing influence on the global stage, particularly emphasising the nation's pivotal role in the recent G20 summit. In her address, she mentioned the profound significance of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/g20-summit-2023-day-2-india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor-launched-634321">India-Middle East-Europe Corridor</a>, an ambitious initiative announced during the India-hosted G20 summit in September 2023.&nbsp;&nbsp;

She said, that at the summit, the "development of India-Middle East-Europe Corridor was announced. This corridor will further strengthen India’s maritime capability".<img alt="India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="55e0bef4-0f16-4fe4-849c-f9f461ce39bf" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/IMEC.png" />

India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor | WION

The corridor is the latest in the series of connectivity projects, India is looking to leverage, including the North-South International corridor, and the Chennai-Vladivostok project.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/delhi-g20-modi-biden-mbs-launch-inter-continent-economic-corridor-to-outfox-chinas-bri-634176">G20 Delhi summit: Why India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor is a 'real big deal'</a>

President Murmu further underscored her government's concerted efforts in modernising infrastructure along the entire border, addressing a long-standing need with utmost urgency.

Reflecting on this, she stated, "Today my government is building modern infrastructure along the entire border. This work should have been done long ago on a priority basis."

Without directly talking about Pakistan or China, she pointed out, "Be it terrorism or expansionism, our forces today are giving a befitting response."&nbsp;

Cross-border terror from Pakistan and Chinese aggressive actions in the northern borders have been a concern for India.

President Murmu highlighted her government's efforts to ensure direct public participation in international affairs.

She remarked, "Earlier, events related to diplomacy were confined to the corridors of Delhi. My government has ensured direct participation of the public in this also."

This inclusive approach was exemplified during India's G20 presidency, during which events took place in the North East and Jammu and Kashmir.

Also watch |&nbsp;India Budget 2024: President Murmu praises defence production crossing Rs 1 lakh-crore mark

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-budget-2024-president-murmu-praises-defence-production-crossing-rs-1-lakh-crore-mark-685425/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Recalling the historic G20 Summit held in India, President Murmu emphasised the global acclaim garnered by the event and its outcomes.

"The whole world appreciated the historic G20 Summit held in India," she remarked, acknowledging the summit's universal recognition.

The unanimous adoption of the Delhi Declaration, despite a fractured global environment, underscored the significance of India's vision encapsulated in the declaration, ranging from 'women-led development' to environmental sustainability.

President Murmu concluded her address by highlighting India's emergence as a global leader, attributing this to the nation's role as a voice of the Global South.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-capitals-delhi-delivers-as-the-voice-of-global-south-634649">The Capitals: Delhi delivers as the voice of Global South</a>

"My government has established India as a Vishwa-Mitra&nbsp;(universal world) in these difficult times," she declared, emphasising India's pivotal role in global affairs and its commitment to fostering cooperation among nations.

Addressing the joint session of the Indian Parliament, President Droupadi Murmu highlighted India's increasing influence on the global stage, particularly emphasising the nation's pivotal role in the recent G20 summit.

Addressing the joint session of the Indian Parliament, President Droupadi Murmu highlighted India's increasing influence on the global stage, particularly emphasising the nation's pivotal role in the recent G20 summit. In her address, she mentioned the profound significance of the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor, an ambitious initiative announced during the India-hosted G20 summit in September 2023. She said, that at the summit, the "development of India-Middle East-Europe Corridor was announced. This corridor will further strengthen India’s maritime capability". India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor | WION The corridor is the latest in the series of connectivity projects, India is looking to leverage, including the North-South International corridor, and the Chennai-Vladivostok project. Also read | G20 Delhi summit: Why India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor is a 'real big deal' President Murmu further underscored her government's concerted efforts in modernising infrastructure along the entire border, addressing a long-standing need with utmost urgency. Reflecting on this, she stated, "Today my government is building modern infrastructure along the entire border. This work should have been done long ago on a priority basis." Without directly talking about Pakistan or China, she pointed out, "Be it terrorism or expansionism, our forces today are giving a befitting response." Cross-border terror from Pakistan and Chinese aggressive actions in the northern borders have been a concern for India. President Murmu highlighted her government's efforts to ensure direct public participation in international affairs. She remarked, "Earlier, events related to diplomacy were confined to the corridors of Delhi. My government has ensured direct participation of the public in this also." This inclusive approach was exemplified during India's G20 presidency, during which events took place in the North East and Jammu and Kashmir. Also watch | India Budget 2024: President Murmu praises defence production crossing Rs 1 lakh-crore mark × Recalling the historic G20 Summit held in India, President Murmu emphasised the global acclaim garnered by the event and its outcomes. "The whole world appreciated the historic G20 Summit held in India," she remarked, acknowledging the summit's universal recognition. The unanimous adoption of the Delhi Declaration, despite a fractured global environment, underscored the significance of India's vision encapsulated in the declaration, ranging from 'women-led development' to environmental sustainability. President Murmu concluded her address by highlighting India's emergence as a global leader, attributing this to the nation's role as a voice of the Global South. Also read | The Capitals: Delhi delivers as the voice of Global South "My government has established India as a Vishwa-Mitra (universal world) in these difficult times," she declared, emphasising India's pivotal role in global affairs and its commitment to fostering cooperation among nations.

India-Middle East-Europe Corridor will strengthen India’s maritime capability, says Indian President Murmu

On September 9, 2023, when India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the leaders of the world's biggest economies&nbsp;during New Delhi's stewardship of the G20 Leaders' Summit, the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) prompted The Capitals edition of that week to be&nbsp;headlined as follows: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-capitals-delhi-delivers-as-the-voice-of-global-south-634649">Delhi delivers as the leader of Global South</a>. &nbsp;

But Delhi's IMEC delivery is now facing a war-stocked wicket in West Asia amid the Israel-Hamas war.&nbsp;

On two different occasions recently, US President Joe Biden in Washington cited IMEC as one of&nbsp;the reasons why Hamas first launched attacks on Israel.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hamas-war-joe-bidens-wartime-address-hails-india-middle-east-europe-corridor-649015">Israel-Hamas war: Joe Biden's wartime address hails India-Middle East-Europe corridor</a>

"I am convinced one of the reasons Hamas attacked when they did, and I have no proof of this, just my instinct tells me, is because of the progress we were making towards regional integration for Israel, and regional integration overall. We can’t leave that work behind," Biden said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/advancing-india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor-potential-reason-behind-hamas-attack-biden-651583">Advancing India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor potential reason behind Hamas attack: Biden</a>

Described by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the "largest cooperation project" in Israeli history and hailed by US President Joe Biden as a transcontinental connectivity project that&nbsp;will make West Asia "more stable and better connected to its neighbours", the passage of IMEC has entered a moment of uncertainty, at least for now.

According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on principles of IMEC signed during the New Delhi G20 summit, the representatives of its signatories — India, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, European Union and the United States&nbsp;— were supposed to meet within 60 days after September 9, 2023 "to develop and commit to an action plan with relevant timetables".&nbsp;

But the attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7 came right in the middle of this timeline. The signatories of IMEC are yet to formalise an action plan for the development of the economic corridor aimed to facilitate the transit of&nbsp;commerce, energy and data to, from and between India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel and Europe.&nbsp;

While <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/advancing-india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor-potential-reason-behind-hamas-attack-biden-651583">experts</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/new-eu-ambassador-herve-delphin-upbeat-on-ascending-ties-with-india-and-fta-talks-652065">officials</a>&nbsp;have told WION that they will carry on with the IMEC — war in West Asia notwithstanding&nbsp;— it remains to be seen in the coming weeks how the developments pan out for a project which was designed to reap the benefits of a state of calm in West Asia.

The Capitals will continue to keep an eye on the evolving state of war in West Asia and its consequences for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. See you next weekend.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

On September 9, 2023, when India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the leaders of the world's biggest economies during New Delhi's stewardship of the G20 Leaders' Summit, the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) prompted The Capitals edition of that week to be headlined as follows: Delhi delivers as the leader of Global South.

On September 9, 2023, when India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the leaders of the world's biggest economies during New Delhi's stewardship of the G20 Leaders' Summit, the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) prompted The Capitals edition of that week to be headlined as follows: Delhi delivers as the leader of Global South. But Delhi's IMEC delivery is now facing a war-stocked wicket in West Asia amid the Israel-Hamas war. On two different occasions recently, US President Joe Biden in Washington cited IMEC as one of the reasons why Hamas first launched attacks on Israel. Also read | Israel-Hamas war: Joe Biden's wartime address hails India-Middle East-Europe corridor "I am convinced one of the reasons Hamas attacked when they did, and I have no proof of this, just my instinct tells me, is because of the progress we were making towards regional integration for Israel, and regional integration overall. We can’t leave that work behind," Biden said. Also read | Advancing India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor potential reason behind Hamas attack: Biden Described by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the "largest cooperation project" in Israeli history and hailed by US President Joe Biden as a transcontinental connectivity project that will make West Asia "more stable and better connected to its neighbours", the passage of IMEC has entered a moment of uncertainty, at least for now. According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on principles of IMEC signed during the New Delhi G20 summit, the representatives of its signatories — India, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, European Union and the United States — were supposed to meet within 60 days after September 9, 2023 "to develop and commit to an action plan with relevant timetables". But the attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7 came right in the middle of this timeline. The signatories of IMEC are yet to formalise an action plan for the development of the economic corridor aimed to facilitate the transit of commerce, energy and data to, from and between India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel and Europe. While experts and officials have told WION that they will carry on with the IMEC — war in West Asia notwithstanding — it remains to be seen in the coming weeks how the developments pan out for a project which was designed to reap the benefits of a state of calm in West Asia. The Capitals will continue to keep an eye on the evolving state of war in West Asia and its consequences for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. See you next weekend. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

The Capitals: Delhi's G20 delivery faces war-stocked West Asia wicket

US President Joe Biden, in his address from the Oval Office, slammed 'terrorists like Hamas and tyrants like Putin' and hailed the US as a 'beacon to the world', despite a chequered American interventionist record abroad that has left a trail of anarchy-fueled terrorism in West Asia and Afghanistan during the&nbsp;formative decades of the 21st century.

Biden's address came after his wartime visit to West Asia that was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spotlight-on-washingtons-waning-political-capital-after-gaza-hospital-blast-sinks-bidens-jordan-summit-648187">forced to be cut down to only Israel</a> after Jordan called off a four-way summit between the top leaders of Washington, Amman, Cairo and Ramallah—the de-facto administrative capital of Palestine Authority. The development emerged as a setback for the Biden administration which had deployed its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/shuttle-diplomacy-blinken-meets-jordanian-king-palestinian-president-abbas-in-amman-646310">Secretary of State Antony Blinken for engagements in the region</a> in the immediate days following the beginning of the war between Israel and the Hamas militant group.&nbsp;

Biden said that during his visit to Israel, he told the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that "we cannot give up on peace" while referring to the purported&nbsp;"mistakes" the US made in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. The "mistakes" that Biden referred to, include an invasion of Iraq under the false pretext of Weapons of Mass Destruction that left over 300,000 Iraqis dead, according to Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs.

This was preceded by an invasion of Afghanistan as a "war against terror" that concluded twenty years later in August 2021 following a devastating American withdrawal that reinstated hardliner Taliban as the country's rulers.&nbsp;

<h2>Biden hails India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor amid Israel-Hamas war</h2>

Biden, however, hailed the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor-to-change-the-face-of-the-middle-east-israel-pm-634703">India-Middle East-Europe economic&nbsp;corridor</a>&nbsp;-- announced earlier this year at the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/the-capitals-delhi-delivers-as-the-voice-of-global-south-634649">New Delhi G20 summit</a> --&nbsp;as a project that is aimed at building a "better future for the Middle East", and the one that will make West Asia "more stable, better connected to its neighbours".&nbsp;

Biden said that with the "innovative projects such as India-Middle East-Europe economic&nbsp;corridor that we announced earlier this year in the summit of the world's biggest economies", the region will benefit with&nbsp;"predictable markets, more employment, less rage and less grievances."

"It benefits the people of the Middle East. It benefits us."

<h2>Russia and Hamas are out to 'annihilate' democracies: Biden</h2>

Biden on Thursday (October 19) claimed that&nbsp;Hamas and Russia are both out to "annihilate" democracies and made the case for assistance to Ukraine and Israel as a vital US interest.

Hamas and Russian President Vladimir Putin "represent different threats but they share this in common: they both want to completely annihilate a neighbouring democracy," Biden said.

Biden said that&nbsp;he would ask the US Congress&nbsp;to approve massive funding to help Ukraine and Israel, stating that it would become&nbsp;an investment that would strengthen the United States' future as a global leader.

"It is a smart investment that's going to pay dividends for American security for generations," Biden said.

"America is a beacon to the world. Still. Still," he said.

The White House is reportedly preparing a huge request to Congress for a $100 billion package that would include funding for Israel in its war against&nbsp;Hamas and also for Ukraine amid its war with Russia.

Right before the speech, Joe Biden spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Also read :&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-attacks-russian-targets-with-missile-system-covertly-given-by-the-us-648172">Ukraine attacks Russian targets with missile system secretly given by the US</a>

In Tel Aviv on Wednesday, Biden backed Israel's effort to dismantle Hamas&nbsp;after the October 7 attacks by the Palestinian group left more than 1,400 Israeli civilians dead.

Biden is credited with having brokered a deal to get limited aid through Egypt into the Gaza Strip, where Israeli bombing since has killed at least 3,785 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry.

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

US President Joe Biden, in his address from the Oval Office, slammed 'terrorists like Hamas and tyrants like Putin' and hailed the US as a 'beacon to the world', despite a chequered American interventionist record abroad that has left a trail of anarchy-fueled terrorism in West Asia and Afghanistan during the formative decades of the 21st century.

US President Joe Biden, in his address from the Oval Office, slammed 'terrorists like Hamas and tyrants like Putin' and hailed the US as a 'beacon to the world', despite a chequered American interventionist record abroad that has left a trail of anarchy-fueled terrorism in West Asia and Afghanistan during the formative decades of the 21st century. Biden's address came after his wartime visit to West Asia that was forced to be cut down to only Israel after Jordan called off a four-way summit between the top leaders of Washington, Amman, Cairo and Ramallah—the de-facto administrative capital of Palestine Authority. The development emerged as a setback for the Biden administration which had deployed its Secretary of State Antony Blinken for engagements in the region in the immediate days following the beginning of the war between Israel and the Hamas militant group. Biden said that during his visit to Israel, he told the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that "we cannot give up on peace" while referring to the purported "mistakes" the US made in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. The "mistakes" that Biden referred to, include an invasion of Iraq under the false pretext of Weapons of Mass Destruction that left over 300,000 Iraqis dead, according to Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs. This was preceded by an invasion of Afghanistan as a "war against terror" that concluded twenty years later in August 2021 following a devastating American withdrawal that reinstated hardliner Taliban as the country's rulers. Biden hails India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor amid Israel-Hamas war Biden, however, hailed the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor -- announced earlier this year at the New Delhi G20 summit -- as a project that is aimed at building a "better future for the Middle East", and the one that will make West Asia "more stable, better connected to its neighbours". Biden said that with the "innovative projects such as India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor that we announced earlier this year in the summit of the world's biggest economies", the region will benefit with "predictable markets, more employment, less rage and less grievances." "It benefits the people of the Middle East. It benefits us." Russia and Hamas are out to 'annihilate' democracies: Biden Biden on Thursday (October 19) claimed that Hamas and Russia are both out to "annihilate" democracies and made the case for assistance to Ukraine and Israel as a vital US interest. Hamas and Russian President Vladimir Putin "represent different threats but they share this in common: they both want to completely annihilate a neighbouring democracy," Biden said. Biden said that he would ask the US Congress to approve massive funding to help Ukraine and Israel, stating that it would become an investment that would strengthen the United States' future as a global leader. "It is a smart investment that's going to pay dividends for American security for generations," Biden said. "America is a beacon to the world. Still. Still," he said. The White House is reportedly preparing a huge request to Congress for a $100 billion package that would include funding for Israel in its war against Hamas and also for Ukraine amid its war with Russia. Right before the speech, Joe Biden spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Also read : Ukraine attacks Russian targets with missile system secretly given by the US In Tel Aviv on Wednesday, Biden backed Israel's effort to dismantle Hamas after the October 7 attacks by the Palestinian group left more than 1,400 Israeli civilians dead. Biden is credited with having brokered a deal to get limited aid through Egypt into the Gaza Strip, where Israeli bombing since has killed at least 3,785 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Israel-Hamas war: Joe Biden's wartime address hails India-Middle East-Europe corridor

The state of war in Israel has cast its shadow on the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), announced last month by the leaders of India, Saudi Arabia,&nbsp;United States, United Arab Emirates and Europe last month at New Delhi G20 summit.&nbsp;

Described by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the "largest cooperation project" in Israeli history and hailed by the US President Joe Biden as a transcontinental connectivity project that&nbsp;will make West Asia "more stable and better connected to its neighbours", the passage of IMEC has entered a moment of uncertainty, at least for now.

"Israel is at the focus of an unprecedented international project that will link infrastructure from Asia to Europe," Netanyahu had said on September 12, 2023.&nbsp;

<h2>India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor: Reading between the timeline</h2>

According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on principles of IMEC signed during New Delhi G20 summit, the representatives of its signatories — India, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, European Union and the United States&nbsp;— were supposed to meet within 60 days after September 9, 2023 "to develop and commit to an action plan with relevant timetables".&nbsp;

The attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7 came right in the middle of this timeline, when the signatories of IMEC had to meet to roll out an action plan for the development of the economic corridor aimed to facilitate the transit of&nbsp;commerce, energy and data to, from and between India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel and Europe.&nbsp;

The reignited pro-Palestine sentiment&nbsp;in West Asia, especially in Jordan —&nbsp;which on October 27 sponsored a&nbsp;UN General Assembly resolution&nbsp;for humanitarian truce in Gaza&nbsp;— may emerge as a&nbsp;cause which could delay the formalisation of IMEC in the immediate future. But officials say that the ongoing state of war has vindicated the need for economic stabilisers in the region.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
UN vote on West Asia Crisis: 
-Jordan proposal adopted, calls for humanitarian truce, condemns civilian killing on both side 
-120 yes, 14 against, 45 abstention. India abstained 
 
-Canada proposal to condemn Hamas terror attack fails 
-88 yes, 55 nos, 23 abstention. India votes yes
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1718119526255165597?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Over three years since the signing of Abraham Accords — a series of joint normalisation agreements initially between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain; and later Sudan and Morocco — and seven months since normalisation of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia until October 7, 2023, there had been steady signs of de-escalation from prolonged tensions in the region.&nbsp;

The transcontinental connectivity project announced in Delhi stemmed from the signs of stability in the region and expectation of restoration of ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel. &nbsp;

<img alt="A dove flies over the debris of houses destroyed in Israeli strikes, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip October 11, 2023" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ec2c74f1-bd1c-4330-aee9-861497d88fba" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-10-28T201447.874.png" />

A dove flies over the debris of houses destroyed in Israeli strikes, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip October 11, 2023 | Reuters

But with Israel's retaliatory action on Hamas in the Gaza Strip that continues to kill thousands of civilians in the Palestinian region, the corridors of power in Riyadh and Amman have become vary of rapproachment with Israel.&nbsp;

"Any attempt by Israel and the US to effect an Israeli-Saudi normalisation of relations is likely to be delayed, because the Saudi public is outraged by Israel's assault on Gaza, so the leadership will have to move with the utmost care," said Joost Hiltermann, Program Director, Middle East and North Africa at Crisis Group.

<h2>'We will carry on with IMEC': Why this connectivity project matters?</h2>

The US President Joe Biden has said that he believes one of the reason why Hamas attacked Israel is due to the progress made to formalise the India-Middle East-Europe Economic corridor.&nbsp;

"I am convinced one of the reasons Hamas attacked when they did, and I have no proof of this, just my instinct tells me, is because of the progress we were making towards regional integration for Israel, and regional integration overall. We can’t leave that work behind," Biden said on October 26 while standing beside Australian Prime Minister Antony Albanese.

On October 20, in his wartime address after visit to Israel, Biden pitched the project as a stability factor in a region plagued with conflicts.&nbsp;

"With this (IMEC)", Biden said, the region will benefit with&nbsp;"predictable markets, more employment, less rage and less grievances."

"It benefits the people of the Middle East. It benefits us (the United States)."

Asked by WION's diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal if the ongoing developments in West Asia pose a challenge towards India-Middle East-Europe&nbsp;connectivity corridor,&nbsp;Europen Union Ambassador in New Delhi Hervé Delphin said that&nbsp;these developments in fact&nbsp;"vindicate the necessity to provide stabilisers for this region".&nbsp;

"All key stakeholders in the IMEC have the same message.&nbsp;We will carry on with this project," Delphin said.

"We should not consider that because there is a war, it has simply killed this project. I don't think it has. On the contrary, as I said, I think it simply shows the value of such a project," he added.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

The state of war in Israel has cast its shadow on the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), announced last month by the leaders of India, Saudi Arabia, United States, United Arab Emirates and Europe last month at New Delhi G20 summit.

The state of war in Israel has cast its shadow on the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), announced last month by the leaders of India, Saudi Arabia, United States, United Arab Emirates and Europe last month at New Delhi G20 summit. Described by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the "largest cooperation project" in Israeli history and hailed by the US President Joe Biden as a transcontinental connectivity project that will make West Asia "more stable and better connected to its neighbours", the passage of IMEC has entered a moment of uncertainty, at least for now. "Israel is at the focus of an unprecedented international project that will link infrastructure from Asia to Europe," Netanyahu had said on September 12, 2023. India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor: Reading between the timeline According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on principles of IMEC signed during New Delhi G20 summit, the representatives of its signatories — India, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, European Union and the United States — were supposed to meet within 60 days after September 9, 2023 "to develop and commit to an action plan with relevant timetables". The attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7 came right in the middle of this timeline, when the signatories of IMEC had to meet to roll out an action plan for the development of the economic corridor aimed to facilitate the transit of commerce, energy and data to, from and between India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel and Europe. The reignited pro-Palestine sentiment in West Asia, especially in Jordan — which on October 27 sponsored a UN General Assembly resolution for humanitarian truce in Gaza — may emerge as a cause which could delay the formalisation of IMEC in the immediate future. But officials say that the ongoing state of war has vindicated the need for economic stabilisers in the region. UN vote on West Asia Crisis: -Jordan proposal adopted, calls for humanitarian truce, condemns civilian killing on both side -120 yes, 14 against, 45 abstention. India abstained -Canada proposal to condemn Hamas terror attack fails -88 yes, 55 nos, 23 abstention. India votes yes — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) October 28, 2023 × Over three years since the signing of Abraham Accords — a series of joint normalisation agreements initially between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain; and later Sudan and Morocco — and seven months since normalisation of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia until October 7, 2023, there had been steady signs of de-escalation from prolonged tensions in the region. The transcontinental connectivity project announced in Delhi stemmed from the signs of stability in the region and expectation of restoration of ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel. A dove flies over the debris of houses destroyed in Israeli strikes, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip October 11, 2023 | Reuters But with Israel's retaliatory action on Hamas in the Gaza Strip that continues to kill thousands of civilians in the Palestinian region, the corridors of power in Riyadh and Amman have become vary of rapproachment with Israel. "Any attempt by Israel and the US to effect an Israeli-Saudi normalisation of relations is likely to be delayed, because the Saudi public is outraged by Israel's assault on Gaza, so the leadership will have to move with the utmost care," said Joost Hiltermann, Program Director, Middle East and North Africa at Crisis Group. 'We will carry on with IMEC': Why this connectivity project matters? The US President Joe Biden has said that he believes one of the reason why Hamas attacked Israel is due to the progress made to formalise the India-Middle East-Europe Economic corridor. "I am convinced one of the reasons Hamas attacked when they did, and I have no proof of this, just my instinct tells me, is because of the progress we were making towards regional integration for Israel, and regional integration overall. We can’t leave that work behind," Biden said on October 26 while standing beside Australian Prime Minister Antony Albanese. On October 20, in his wartime address after visit to Israel, Biden pitched the project as a stability factor in a region plagued with conflicts. "With this (IMEC)", Biden said, the region will benefit with "predictable markets, more employment, less rage and less grievances." "It benefits the people of the Middle East. It benefits us (the United States)." Asked by WION's diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal if the ongoing developments in West Asia pose a challenge towards India-Middle East-Europe connectivity corridor, Europen Union Ambassador in New Delhi Hervé Delphin said that these developments in fact "vindicate the necessity to provide stabilisers for this region". "All key stakeholders in the IMEC have the same message. We will carry on with this project," Delphin said. "We should not consider that because there is a war, it has simply killed this project. I don't think it has. On the contrary, as I said, I think it simply shows the value of such a project," he added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

How Israel-Hamas war is impacting state of India-Middle East-Europe corridor

The leaders of India, Saudi Arabia, European Union and the United States launched India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor to facilitate the flow of commerce, energy and data to, from and between India the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel and Europe. The project, unveiled during&nbsp;New Delhi G20 summit, was opposed by China which saw it a direct threat to its own ambitious Belt and Road Initiative.&nbsp;

The launch of India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor — which the US President Joe Biden hailed as 'a real big deal' — follows reports that Italy may soon&nbsp;exit China's Belt and Road Initiative; the former was hailed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in New delhi as a "milestone in strengthening global interconnections."

"We look forward to the integration of the initiative and the Economic Corridor project which is announced in this meeting. I would like to thank those who worked with us to reach this founding step to establish this important economic corridor," Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Muhammed Bin Salman said.

<h2>Modi's 'Bharat' gets focus on 'regional integrity' through transcontinental connectivity</h2>

The principles of the project aim to stand in contrast to the type of infrastructure funded by China’s Belt and Road Initiative, whose funding has been slammed for being opaque and throwing poorer nations into debt traps.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Charting a journey of shared aspirations and dreams, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor promises to be a beacon of cooperation, innovation, and shared progress. As history unfolds, may this corridor be a testament to human endeavour and unity across continents. <a href="https://t.co/vYBNo2oa5W">pic.twitter.com/vYBNo2oa5W</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1700501885852262660?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Launching the India-Middle East-Economic Corridor, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that connectivity initiative is not just a matter of business but a matter of trust between then and that "adhesion to international rules, respect for all nations' sovereignty and regional integrity" must form the bedrock of such ambitious initiatives.&nbsp;

A part of China's Belt and Road Initiative passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in India's north, which New Delhi says is violation of its sovereignty and regional integrity.&nbsp;

<h2>India-Europe corridor via West Asia: Signs of easing tensions?</h2>

Over three years since the signing of Abraham Accords — a series of joint normalisation agreements initially between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain; and later Sudan and Morocco — <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-saudi-arabia-restore-ties-as-china-brokered-deal-outfoxes-west-570766">and six months since normalisation of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia</a>, there have been steady signs of de-escalation from prolonged tensions in the region.&nbsp;

The transcontinental connectivity project announced in Delhi stems from the signs of stability in the region and expectation&nbsp;of restoration of ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Also watch |&nbsp;Losing Momentum: China’s belt &amp; road initiative

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/losing-momentum-chinas-belt-road-initiative-580314/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

According to Mohammed Soliman, director at the Middle East Institute and the strategist behind India-Israel-US-UAE partnership (I2U2), there are more agency for the countries involved in terms of drifts aligning with their own interests in India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor compared to the BRI, and this is what makes it more feasible, added Soliman.&nbsp;

"Although the neighborhood is plagued by geopolitical rivalries, there seems to be a shift towards de-escalation and finding common ground after a decade of upheavals," Soliman said.&nbsp;

<h2>India-Middle East-European Union economic corridor: Immediate timeline</h2>

So far no binding financial commitments have been made.&nbsp;

But previously, the European Union had separately earmarked the spending of up to €300bn on overseas infrastructure investments between 2021 and 2027 from its Global Gateway project, launched to take on China's Belt and Road Initiative and defend European interests across the wider region.

"It will be the most direct connection to date between India, the Arabian Gulf and Europe," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in New Delhi while sitting beside Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the US President Joe Biden at the launch of partnership for Global Infrastructure &nbsp;and Investment (PGII) and India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.

In the next 60 days, working groups will put together a fuller plan and set timelines.&nbsp;

The first phase will involve identifying the areas that need investment and where physical infrastructure can be connected between countries.&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

The leaders of India, Saudi Arabia, European Union and the United States launched India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor to facilitate the flow of commerce, energy and data to, from and between India the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel and Europe.

The leaders of India, Saudi Arabia, European Union and the United States launched India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor to facilitate the flow of commerce, energy and data to, from and between India the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel and Europe. The project, unveiled during New Delhi G20 summit, was opposed by China which saw it a direct threat to its own ambitious Belt and Road Initiative. The launch of India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor — which the US President Joe Biden hailed as 'a real big deal' — follows reports that Italy may soon exit China's Belt and Road Initiative; the former was hailed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in New delhi as a "milestone in strengthening global interconnections." "We look forward to the integration of the initiative and the Economic Corridor project which is announced in this meeting. I would like to thank those who worked with us to reach this founding step to establish this important economic corridor," Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Muhammed Bin Salman said. Modi's 'Bharat' gets focus on 'regional integrity' through transcontinental connectivity The principles of the project aim to stand in contrast to the type of infrastructure funded by China’s Belt and Road Initiative, whose funding has been slammed for being opaque and throwing poorer nations into debt traps. Charting a journey of shared aspirations and dreams, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor promises to be a beacon of cooperation, innovation, and shared progress. As history unfolds, may this corridor be a testament to human endeavour and unity across continents. pic.twitter.com/vYBNo2oa5W — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023 × Launching the India-Middle East-Economic Corridor, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that connectivity initiative is not just a matter of business but a matter of trust between then and that "adhesion to international rules, respect for all nations' sovereignty and regional integrity" must form the bedrock of such ambitious initiatives. A part of China's Belt and Road Initiative passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in India's north, which New Delhi says is violation of its sovereignty and regional integrity. India-Europe corridor via West Asia: Signs of easing tensions? Over three years since the signing of Abraham Accords — a series of joint normalisation agreements initially between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain; and later Sudan and Morocco — and six months since normalisation of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia, there have been steady signs of de-escalation from prolonged tensions in the region. The transcontinental connectivity project announced in Delhi stems from the signs of stability in the region and expectation of restoration of ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Also watch | Losing Momentum: China’s belt & road initiative × According to Mohammed Soliman, director at the Middle East Institute and the strategist behind India-Israel-US-UAE partnership (I2U2), there are more agency for the countries involved in terms of drifts aligning with their own interests in India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor compared to the BRI, and this is what makes it more feasible, added Soliman. "Although the neighborhood is plagued by geopolitical rivalries, there seems to be a shift towards de-escalation and finding common ground after a decade of upheavals," Soliman said. India-Middle East-European Union economic corridor: Immediate timeline So far no binding financial commitments have been made. But previously, the European Union had separately earmarked the spending of up to €300bn on overseas infrastructure investments between 2021 and 2027 from its Global Gateway project, launched to take on China's Belt and Road Initiative and defend European interests across the wider region. "It will be the most direct connection to date between India, the Arabian Gulf and Europe," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in New Delhi while sitting beside Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the US President Joe Biden at the launch of partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) and India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. In the next 60 days, working groups will put together a fuller plan and set timelines. The first phase will involve identifying the areas that need investment and where physical infrastructure can be connected between countries. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

G20 Delhi summit: Why India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor is a 'real big deal'

US President Joe Biden said that he is convinced that the intercontinental connectivity project, India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, announced in September during the G20 Summit in New Delhi, is one of the reasons why Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7 that left over 1,400 people dead.

The counteroffensive from Israel into Hamas-governed Gaza Strip has left over 7,000 Palestinians dead, a toll heavier<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/data-lab-18-days-of-israel-hamas-war-sees-more-palestinian-deaths-than-15-years-of-conflict-combined-651279">&nbsp;than the15 years of conflict combined</a>.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hamas-war-joe-bidens-wartime-address-hails-india-middle-east-europe-corridor-649015">Israel-Hamas war: Joe Biden's wartime address hails India-Middle East-Europe corridor</a>

The project aims to integrate the entire region with a network of railroad. The project to, from, and between India, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, and Europe aims to provide a "reliable and cost-effective cross-border ship-to-rail transit network to supplement existing maritime and road transport routes", according to a Memorandum of Understanding signed during the G20 summit.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/delhi-g20-modi-biden-mbs-launch-inter-continent-economic-corridor-to-outfox-chinas-bri-634176">G20 Delhi summit: Why India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor is a 'real big deal'</a>

Biden told journalists while standing beside&nbsp;the visiting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that his analysis is based on his instinct and does not have any proof.

"I am convinced one of the reasons Hamas attacked when they did, and I have no proof of this, just my instinct tells me, is because of the progress we were making towards regional integration for Israel, and regional integration overall. We can’t leave that work behind," Biden said.

This is the second time in less than a week that Biden has mentioned the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) as a potential reason for the terrorist attack by Hamas.

Earlier on October 20,&nbsp;Biden, in an address from the Oval Office after his wartime Israel visit,&nbsp;hailed the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor-to-change-the-face-of-the-middle-east-israel-pm-634703">India-Middle East-Europe economic&nbsp;corridor</a>&nbsp;as a project that is aimed at building a "better future for the Middle East", and the one that will make West Asia "more stable, better connected to its neighbours".&nbsp;

Biden said that with the "innovative projects such as India-Middle East-Europe economic&nbsp;corridor that we announced earlier this year in the summit of the world's biggest economies", the region will benefit with&nbsp;"predictable markets, more employment, less rage and less grievances."

"It benefits the people of the Middle East. It benefits us (the United States)."

The new economic corridor, which many see as an alternative to China's Belt and Road Initiative, was jointly announced by the leaders of the US, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union on the sidelines of the G20 summit in September.

The corridor comprises an eastern corridor connecting India to the Gulf region and a northern corridor connecting the Gulf region to Europe.

<h2>Israel-Hamas war: What to make of Biden's comments on IMEC?</h2>

According to an MoU signed between the countries during the New Delhi G20 summit, the countries had agreed to "commit to an action plan with relevant timetables" within 60 days after September 9.

The attack by Hamas against Israel on October 7 falls right in the middle of this timeline.

An intercontinental connectivity project, added with potential rapprochement between Israel and Saudi Arabia after landmark restoration of ties between Israel, UAE and Bahrain, would have derailed Hamas's purported goals in relation to the Israel-Palestine issue.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Biden said that in the past few weeks, he has spoken to leaders throughout the region, including King Abdullah of Jordan, President Sisi of Egypt, President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority, and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia about making sure there's real hope in the region for a better future about the need to work toward a greater integration for Israel while insisting that the aspirations of the Palestinian people will be part, will be part of that future as well.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

US President Joe Biden said that he is convinced that the intercontinental connectivity project, India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, announced in September during the G20 Summit in New Delhi, is one of the reasons why Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7 that left over 1,400 people dead.

US President Joe Biden said that he is convinced that the intercontinental connectivity project, India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, announced in September during the G20 Summit in New Delhi, is one of the reasons why Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7 that left over 1,400 people dead. The counteroffensive from Israel into Hamas-governed Gaza Strip has left over 7,000 Palestinians dead, a toll heavier than the15 years of conflict combined. Also read | Israel-Hamas war: Joe Biden's wartime address hails India-Middle East-Europe corridor The project aims to integrate the entire region with a network of railroad. The project to, from, and between India, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, and Europe aims to provide a "reliable and cost-effective cross-border ship-to-rail transit network to supplement existing maritime and road transport routes", according to a Memorandum of Understanding signed during the G20 summit. Also read | G20 Delhi summit: Why India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor is a 'real big deal' Biden told journalists while standing beside the visiting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that his analysis is based on his instinct and does not have any proof. "I am convinced one of the reasons Hamas attacked when they did, and I have no proof of this, just my instinct tells me, is because of the progress we were making towards regional integration for Israel, and regional integration overall. We can’t leave that work behind," Biden said. This is the second time in less than a week that Biden has mentioned the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) as a potential reason for the terrorist attack by Hamas. Earlier on October 20, Biden, in an address from the Oval Office after his wartime Israel visit, hailed the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor as a project that is aimed at building a "better future for the Middle East", and the one that will make West Asia "more stable, better connected to its neighbours". Biden said that with the "innovative projects such as India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor that we announced earlier this year in the summit of the world's biggest economies", the region will benefit with "predictable markets, more employment, less rage and less grievances." "It benefits the people of the Middle East. It benefits us (the United States)." The new economic corridor, which many see as an alternative to China's Belt and Road Initiative, was jointly announced by the leaders of the US, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union on the sidelines of the G20 summit in September. The corridor comprises an eastern corridor connecting India to the Gulf region and a northern corridor connecting the Gulf region to Europe. Israel-Hamas war: What to make of Biden's comments on IMEC? According to an MoU signed between the countries during the New Delhi G20 summit, the countries had agreed to "commit to an action plan with relevant timetables" within 60 days after September 9. The attack by Hamas against Israel on October 7 falls right in the middle of this timeline. An intercontinental connectivity project, added with potential rapprochement between Israel and Saudi Arabia after landmark restoration of ties between Israel, UAE and Bahrain, would have derailed Hamas's purported goals in relation to the Israel-Palestine issue. Biden said that in the past few weeks, he has spoken to leaders throughout the region, including King Abdullah of Jordan, President Sisi of Egypt, President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority, and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia about making sure there's real hope in the region for a better future about the need to work toward a greater integration for Israel while insisting that the aspirations of the Palestinian people will be part, will be part of that future as well. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Advancing India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor potential reason behind Hamas attack: Biden

India’s foreign minister S Jaishankar asserted that the new multinational rail and shipping route connecting India and the Middle East&nbsp;to Europe does not pose any threat to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and dissuaded efforts to portray the US-backed project as a counter to Beijing’s multibillion dollar infrastructure project.

Speaking exclusively to WION, Jaishankar termed the connectivity project “a very significant initiative”, which is “rooted deeply in tradition”.

“I would urge you to see things positively rather than see everything negatively in terms of countering other people,” the minister said in response to a question about the initiative being seen as a counter to China’s BRI.

“I think this is an initiative of very important countries, who are also good in it for themselves. They are not doing it because they are against somebody and something. They're doing it because they are&nbsp;for&nbsp;something,” he added.

Talking about the prospects of the corridor project, Jaishankar said, “I think it's a very, very significant initiative because at one level it is rooted very deeply in tradition, for hundreds of thousands of years, people have been traversing this route from India to Europe and back through the gulf, through the Arabian Peninsula.”

<h2>EAM Jaishankar Exclusive Interview: 'We consciously decided to invite the global south'</h2>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/eam-jaishankar-exclusive-interview-we-consciously-decided-to-invite-the-global-south-635897/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

“So, there's a long tradition, but it stopped for a variety of historical reasons. It has been reduced. Today, I think we have the circumstances, the fact that all the countries involved which you mentioned, they all are interested in reviving this tradition, but reviving it in a modern way so we are really looking at an economic corridor, partly maritime, partly railway, there will be other aspects for it, not just logistics, different aspects of economic activity. So, I think it's an enormously promising initiative. Obviously, we'll have to work very hard and see how to take it forward,” he added.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/eam-jaishankar-to-wion-g20-summit-marks-an-inflection-point-for-a-rising-india-635759">EAM Jaishankar to WION: G20 Summit marks an 'inflection point' for a rising India</a>

When asked when will the project begin, the minister responded, “I think you had an agreement, in principle right now, you have to be a little bit patient.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-eam-s-jaishankar-reveals-how-india-pulled-off-g20-joint-statement-diplomatic-success-635774">India's EAM S Jaishankar reveals how India pulled off G20 joint statement diplomatic success</a>

The connectivity project was announced at the Group of 20 (G20) Summit in India.

It is comprised of two separate routes – an east corridor linking India to the Gulf Arab states and a northern corridor connecting the Gulf states to Europe.

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

India’s foreign minister S Jaishankar asserted that the new multinational rail and shipping route connecting India and the Middle East to Europe does not pose any threat to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and dissuaded efforts to portray the US-backed project as a counter to Beijing’s multibillion dollar infrastructure project.

India’s foreign minister S Jaishankar asserted that the new multinational rail and shipping route connecting India and the Middle East to Europe does not pose any threat to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and dissuaded efforts to portray the US-backed project as a counter to Beijing’s multibillion dollar infrastructure project. Speaking exclusively to WION, Jaishankar termed the connectivity project “a very significant initiative”, which is “rooted deeply in tradition”. “I would urge you to see things positively rather than see everything negatively in terms of countering other people,” the minister said in response to a question about the initiative being seen as a counter to China’s BRI. “I think this is an initiative of very important countries, who are also good in it for themselves. They are not doing it because they are against somebody and something. They're doing it because they are for something,” he added. Talking about the prospects of the corridor project, Jaishankar said, “I think it's a very, very significant initiative because at one level it is rooted very deeply in tradition, for hundreds of thousands of years, people have been traversing this route from India to Europe and back through the gulf, through the Arabian Peninsula.” EAM Jaishankar Exclusive Interview: 'We consciously decided to invite the global south' “So, there's a long tradition, but it stopped for a variety of historical reasons. It has been reduced. Today, I think we have the circumstances, the fact that all the countries involved which you mentioned, they all are interested in reviving this tradition, but reviving it in a modern way so we are really looking at an economic corridor, partly maritime, partly railway, there will be other aspects for it, not just logistics, different aspects of economic activity. So, I think it's an enormously promising initiative. Obviously, we'll have to work very hard and see how to take it forward,” he added. Also read | EAM Jaishankar to WION: G20 Summit marks an 'inflection point' for a rising India When asked when will the project begin, the minister responded, “I think you had an agreement, in principle right now, you have to be a little bit patient.” Also read | India's EAM S Jaishankar reveals how India pulled off G20 joint statement diplomatic success The connectivity project was announced at the Group of 20 (G20) Summit in India. It is comprised of two separate routes – an east corridor linking India to the Gulf Arab states and a northern corridor connecting the Gulf states to Europe. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

India-Middle East-Europe corridor not a counter to China’s BRI: Jaishankar

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the launch of the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as “major news” for Israelis and said it was the “largest cooperation project in our history” that would impact the Middle East, Israel, and the entire globe.

In a bid to counter China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI),&nbsp;the new economic corridor&nbsp;was jointly unveiled on Saturday by leaders from the US, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Italy, and the European Union in New Delhi.

Netanyahu said that Israel is the centre of a ground-breaking worldwide project that will connect infrastructure from Asia to Europe in a late-Saturday night video address.

“I welcome the statement that was released today by the United States, India, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the European Union, as well as France, Italy and Germany. Israel is at the focus of an unprecedented international project that will link infrastructure from Asia to Europe. This link will also realise a multi-year vision that will change the face of the Middle East, and Israel, and will affect the entire world,” he said.

The IMEC is being viewed as a potential substitute for the BRI, a large-scale project started by Chinese President Xi Jinping that has also received criticism over its debt sustainability, particularly from smaller countries.

In order to connect China, the world’s largest manufacturer, with Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa, and Europe through a network of land and sea links, Xi introduced the BRI in 2013.

The IMEC’s declaration coincides with discussions about the rapprochement between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Although there are no diplomatic ties between the two nations, the Gulf state has recently been viewed to soften its stance towards Israel by allowing Israeli airlines to use its airspace.

“I would like to thank US President (Joe) Biden and his administration for the major effort that has led us to today's historic announcement. Several months ago, the US contacted us regarding the realisation of this historic opportunity. Since then, it has held urgent diplomatic contacts in order to bring about today's breakthrough,” he added.

According to him, the initiative will change&nbsp;the look of the area and make the dream of "normalising the Middle East" possible. The programme calls for the building of trains, a hydrogen pipelines, fibre optic communications lines, electrical cables, and additional infrastructure.

He added that the State of Israel will offer all of its skills, knowledge, drive, and dedication to the realisation of the biggest cooperative endeavour in its history. All government ministries would be given the green signal to collaborate in making this ambition a reality, he added.

In order for this vision to materialise as fast as possible, Netanyahu stated, “I have directed the National Security Council, in the Prime Minister’s Office, to coordinate the staff work and also the close cooperation with the US and other countries.”

(With inputs from PTI)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the launch of the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as “major news” for Israelis and said it was the “largest cooperation project in our history” that would impact the Middle East, Israel, and the entire globe.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the launch of the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as “major news” for Israelis and said it was the “largest cooperation project in our history” that would impact the Middle East, Israel, and the entire globe. In a bid to counter China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the new economic corridor was jointly unveiled on Saturday by leaders from the US, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Italy, and the European Union in New Delhi. Netanyahu said that Israel is the centre of a ground-breaking worldwide project that will connect infrastructure from Asia to Europe in a late-Saturday night video address. “I welcome the statement that was released today by the United States, India, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the European Union, as well as France, Italy and Germany. Israel is at the focus of an unprecedented international project that will link infrastructure from Asia to Europe. This link will also realise a multi-year vision that will change the face of the Middle East, and Israel, and will affect the entire world,” he said. The IMEC is being viewed as a potential substitute for the BRI, a large-scale project started by Chinese President Xi Jinping that has also received criticism over its debt sustainability, particularly from smaller countries. In order to connect China, the world’s largest manufacturer, with Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa, and Europe through a network of land and sea links, Xi introduced the BRI in 2013. The IMEC’s declaration coincides with discussions about the rapprochement between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Although there are no diplomatic ties between the two nations, the Gulf state has recently been viewed to soften its stance towards Israel by allowing Israeli airlines to use its airspace. “I would like to thank US President (Joe) Biden and his administration for the major effort that has led us to today's historic announcement. Several months ago, the US contacted us regarding the realisation of this historic opportunity. Since then, it has held urgent diplomatic contacts in order to bring about today's breakthrough,” he added. According to him, the initiative will change the look of the area and make the dream of "normalising the Middle East" possible. The programme calls for the building of trains, a hydrogen pipelines, fibre optic communications lines, electrical cables, and additional infrastructure. He added that the State of Israel will offer all of its skills, knowledge, drive, and dedication to the realisation of the biggest cooperative endeavour in its history. All government ministries would be given the green signal to collaborate in making this ambition a reality, he added. In order for this vision to materialise as fast as possible, Netanyahu stated, “I have directed the National Security Council, in the Prime Minister’s Office, to coordinate the staff work and also the close cooperation with the US and other countries.” (With inputs from PTI) WATCH WION LIVE HERE