THE India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) emerged on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in 2023. Proposed by the US, the IMEC aims to sustain American influence in the Middle East post the expansion of the BRI and BRICS. Consequently, the IMEC presents a geostrategic challenge to China’s BRI within the region.
This initiative fuels the ongoing geostrategic competition between China and the US in the Indo-Pacific. The IMEC stands as a deliberate move by the United States to counter China’s escalating geopolitical presence in the area, significantly impacting the shifting geopolitics of the Middle East and Europe.
The IMEC comprises road and maritime routes consisting of two corridors. The Eastern Corridor links India to Middle Eastern nations via the Indian Ocean (sea route), connecting with countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. Meanwhile, the Northern Corridor establishes a linkage between Israel and Europe. Saudi Arabia joined the IMEC to further its Vision 2030, aiming to diversify its economy away from reliance on the oil industry. Simultaneously, China is strengthening ties with Arab countries to expand its BRI footprint in the region. Through this newly proposed economic corridor, the US aims to rekindle relations with historically significant Arab nations, such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
However, Saudi-US relations have faced fluctuations over the past two years due to the US withdrawal of troops from Syria and Yemen, along with the suspension of arms sales to Saudi Arabia. In response, Saudi Arabia has drawn closer to Russia and China. In 2021, during the OPEC+ meeting, KSA reduced oil production by one million barrels per day for the USA, escalating tension between the two nations. As the US realizes its diminishing influence in the Middle East, it adopts counter strategies like I2U2 and IMEC in the region.
I2U2 signifies a strategic alliance comprising West Asian countries – India, Israel, UAE and the US. Its primary objective is to counter Chinese expansion in the region. Under the guise of I2U2, the USA seeks to distance the Middle East from Sino-Russian strategic influence and integrate Israel into the region by normalizing its relations with Arab nations.
Since 2022, Europe has grappled with an energy crisis due to the Russia-Ukraine War. For Europe, IMEC represents a significant opportunity to alleviate its energy crisis. From the European perspective, IMEC serves as a gateway to engage in the geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific region. This stands to benefit Europe both economically and politically, positioning it as a revisionist power in the region.
The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) stands at the crossroads of geopolitical shifts, offering solutions to Europe’s energy crisis while redefining global alliances. As IMEC matures, its impact on the power dynamics of the Middle East and Europe becomes increasingly significant, shaping the future landscape of international relations and strategic collaborations.
—The writer is a contributing columnist based in Lahore.
Email: [email protected]
views expressed are writer’s own.
