National security advisors of three countries, including India, met in Saudi Arabia on Sunday for talks “to take forward their shared vision of a more secure and prosperous Middle East region connected with India and the world”. Mint explains the importance of the meeting.
- Early last week, Axios, a news outlet, reported that India, the US, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are set to hold a high-level meeting. According to the report, the national security advisors of the four countries were set to discuss an ambitious infrastructure connectivity project.
- Plans are emerging for a massive railway network to connect Middle-Eastern countries with their neighbors. The network will also serve India through shipping lanes connecting with ports in the region.
- According to Axios, the plan was originally conceived by Israel. In Tel Aviv’s view, India’s experience in building railway networks in the Middle East and other parts of the developing world would be an important asset.
- On Sunday, India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval confirmed some details of the report after meeting with the US and UAE’s NSAs as well as Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh. The readout of the meeting only mentioned that the four sides met to “advance their shared vision of a more secure and prosperous Middle East region interconnected with India and the world”.
- India would have several significant benefits from such an infrastructure project. First, it will help create a strong counter to China’s infrastructure connectivity efforts in the region. Few countries have the capability to execute difficult infrastructure projects overseas and India is one of them.
- Second, the successful implementation of such a project would greatly enhance India’s diplomatic prestige. The Middle East is looking for new diplomatic partners as it moves away from its dependence on the US. This could be a momentous opportunity for New Delhi.
- Finally, India has long harbored ambitions to improve connectivity with the Middle East. With overland routes running through Pakistan and Afghanistan, sea connectivity is the only viable option available to India.
- The four countries involved in the project agreed to maintain a regular dialogue going forward. While initial discussions have been encouraging, it remains to be seen whether this highly ambitious project can defy bureaucratic inertia and take off.
catch all business News, market news, today’s fresh news events and Breaking News Update on Live Mint. download mint news app To get daily market updates.