Trump Puts US Support Behind India-Middle East-Europe Corridor

NEW YORK, NY – President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his administration’s support for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, presenting the ambitious connectivity project as an alternative route for moving energy and goods across the region.

Trump made the remarks during a multilateral meeting with leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

“Iran’s terrorist attacks on commercial shipping and neighboring countries have shown the need to shift Middle East energy infrastructure away from the Iranian checkpoints,” Trump said.

Trump placed the India-backed corridor within his broader strategy for the Middle East, linking it to maritime security, energy supplies and efforts to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

Trump also disclosed that US special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner had held what he described as a productive meeting with mediators dealing with Iran.

The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor was announced during the G20 summit in New Delhi in September 2023. India, the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the European Union, France, Germany and Italy signed the memorandum outlining the initiative.

The proposed corridor is designed to connect India with the Gulf through maritime links and link the Gulf to Europe through rail and shipping networks. Its stated objectives include improving trade, reducing transport time and strengthening economic and energy connectivity across Asia, the Middle East and Europe. (IANS)