From Conflict to Connectivity: The India-Middle East-Europe Corridor Amidst Geopolitical Turbulence

Abstract

This article explores the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), a transformative initiative endorsed at the 2023 G-20 Summit that seeks to connect India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, and Europe through a combined land and maritime trade and energy route. The project anticipates the laying of cables for electricity and digital connectivity, as well as pipes for clean hydrogen export. IMEC represents a significant opportunity to foster regional economic integration and reduce transportation times, potentially extending the collaborative spirit of the Abraham Accords.

While IMEC holds immense promise for enhancing trade, energy cooperation, and infrastructure development, its implementation faces critical challenges. The article delves into the political, logistical, and security hurdles confronting IMEC, particularly in light of the heightened tensions following the October 2023 Israel-Hamas war, clashes along the Israeli-Lebanese border, and instability in the Red Sea region. These dynamics underscore the urgency of robust legal frameworks, multilateral agreements, and institutional arrangements to ensure IMEC’s feasibility and resilience.

The analysis highlights the dual aspects of IMEC: its capacity to accelerate economic growth through interconnected trade and energy networks and its vulnerability to geopolitical rivalries, such as competition with China’s expanding influence in the Middle East. Furthermore, the article emphasizes the necessity of embedding environmental sustainability in IMEC's design and operation to align with global ecological priorities.

By addressing these critical issues, this article positions IMEC as a case study in balancing geopolitical competition with cooperative frameworks. It seeks to contribute to scholarly discourse on regional stability, energy security, and economic interdependence in the Mediterranean and beyond, offering insights into how ambitious infrastructure initiatives can transform political rivalries into opportunities for collaboration.

Keywords: IMEC, Abraham Accords, Middle East, Regional Cooperation, Infrastructure Development, Geopolitical Rivalry, Energy Security