India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor to Have Two Separate Routes: Minister

The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) will consist of two distinct routes as part of its infrastructure, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh announced in Parliament.

Speaking during a session of the Lok Sabha, Singh detailed the corridor’s structure, explaining that:

• An eastern corridor will link India to the Gulf.
• A northern corridor will connect the Gulf to Europe.

Goals of the IMEC

Singh highlighted the transformative potential of the corridor, stating that it aims to:

• Enhance connectivity and efficiency.
• Reduce costs and secure regional supply chains.
• Increase trade accessibility and generate jobs.
• Lower greenhouse gas emissions.

"The corridor will result in a transformative integration of Asia, Europe, and the Middle East," Singh said.

Key Details

The IMEC was first proposed on September 9, 2023, during the 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi. Since its announcement, work has begun on a logistics platform, including a digital ecosystem to support supply chain services. These services will cater to various types of cargo, including general goods, bulk, containers, and liquids.

The IMEC is expected to strengthen economic and trade ties between India, the Gulf, and Europe while addressing critical supply chain and sustainability challenges.