India – Middle East – Europe Economic Corridor

September 11, 2023

On the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi, several countries, including India, the US, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, the UAE, France, Germany, and Italy, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the India – Middle East – Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The move comes in response to concerns about unsustainable debt and geopolitical implications associated with China’s BRI projects.

What is the India – Middle East – Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)?

IMEC is envisioned as a network of transport corridors comprising railway lines and sea lanes to promote economic integration between Asia, the Arabian Gulf, and Europe. This initiative is part of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment (PGII),which aims to fund infrastructure projects in developing countries through public and private investments, offering an alternative to the BRI.

What motivated the formation of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment (PGII), and how does it differ from China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)?

The PGII was established as a response to concerns regarding China’s BRI, which involved providing loans and infrastructure development in various countries. Critics argued that these projects often led to unsustainable debts and geopolitical influence.
The PGII, comprising G7 countries and the EU, aims to fund infrastructure projects in developing nations through a combination of public and private investments. It emphasizes transparency, climate-resilient infrastructure, gender equality, and health infrastructure development. Unlike the BRI, the PGII focuses on cooperative efforts among democracies and aims to provide loans rather than charity or aid.

Why did India oppose China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and how does its involvement in the IMEC align with its strategic interests?

India opposed the BRI because it included the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which passed through territory that India claimed but was under Pakistani control. India saw this as a violation of its sovereignty. In contrast, IMEC offers India an opportunity to participate in a Western-led initiative that aligns with its concerns about the BRI’s impact on sovereignty and debt sustainability. IMEC could enhance India’s connectivity with Europe and the Middle East while avoiding territorial disputes. It allows India to engage in infrastructure development projects that do not compromise its strategic interests.

What are the potential challenges and advantages of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment (PGII) when competing with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)?

The PGII faces challenges such as raising investments on the scale of the BRI and securing political consensus within G7 countries. Private sector participation is not assured. However, PGII’s focus on transparency, sustainable development, and climate resilience could attract countries concerned about the BRI’s potential pitfalls. While China may adapt the BRI to address criticisms, competition between the PGII and BRI could diversify options for countries seeking infrastructure investments. This competition might lead to improved infrastructure projects globally, benefiting all parties and promoting a “race to the top” in terms of project quality and sustainability.

How has China responded to the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment (PGII)?

China has welcomed initiatives that promote global infrastructure development, emphasizing that various initiatives can coexist. Chinese officials have expressed opposition to using infrastructure construction as a pretext for geopolitical calculations or undermining the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China has sought to address criticisms of the BRI by modifying it, focusing on a “Green BRI,” and scaling back on high-risk projects. The Chinese perspective acknowledges the competition among various infrastructure initiatives but emphasizes cooperation and the potential for coexistence, suggesting that multiple approaches can contribute to global development.

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