{"id":57209,"date":"2025-10-18T20:18:28","date_gmt":"2025-10-18T14:48:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=57209"},"modified":"2025-10-22T12:49:22","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T07:19:22","slug":"resolution-palestinian-question-imec","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/18-10-2025\/resolution-palestinian-question-imec","title":{"rendered":"Resolution of Palestinian Question Necessary for IMEC"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/IR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>first India\u2013Egypt Strategic Dialogue<\/strong> was held in New Delhi co-chaired by EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar and Egyptian FM.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Both leaders discussed the progress of<strong> India-Middle East EU Economic Corridor (IMEC).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Egypt\u2019s Position: <\/strong>Egypt supports regional connectivity projects like India-Middle East EU Economic Corridor (IMEC) but believes progress is impossible without addressing the Palestinian question.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It proposed that India join the Egyptian Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) \u2014 where Russia, China, and others already have industrial complexes \u2014 to strengthen connectivity and trade cooperation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>India\u2019s Support to Palestine: <\/strong>EAM reiterated India\u2019s consistent support for the two-state solution, i.e. peaceful coexistence of Israel and Palestine as independent states.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Egypt\u2019s Geostrategic Role: <\/strong>Egypt aims to act as a bridge between Asia, Africa, and Europe, leveraging its Suez Canal Economic Zone for industrial and trade cooperation.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Egypt\u2019s mediation in Gaza and participation in the Gaza Peace Agreement (2025) reinforce its centrality in Middle East peace efforts and connectivity diplomacy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Brief on India-Egypt Relations<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Diplomatic relations <\/strong>at Ambassadorial level were established in <strong>1947<\/strong>.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Both countries were founding members of the Non\u2011Aligned Movement (NAM) in 1961.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bilateral Relations:<\/strong> The India-Egypt Bilateral Trade Agreement (based on MFN clause) has been in place since <strong>1978<\/strong>.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Trade reached a high of US$<strong> 7.26 billion in FY 2021-22.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In FY 2024-25, bilateral trade was about <strong>US$ 5.2 billion<\/strong> (India exports to Egypt ~ US$3.84 billion; imports ~ US$1.3 billion).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Defence &amp; security cooperation:<\/strong> MoU on Defence Cooperation signed during an Indian Defence Minister\u2019s visit in 2022.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>First ever IAF-EAF joint tactical air exercise \u201cDesert Warrior\u201d in 2021.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The 3rd edition of Exercise \u201cCyclone\u201d, involving special forces of both countries, held in 2025.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Indian community: <\/strong>Over 6,000 Indians live in Egypt, ~2,000 Indian students study in Egypt.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mechanisms: <\/strong>Joint Foreign Office Consultations (FOC), Joint Trade Commission (JTC), Joint Defence Committee (JDC), Joint Working Groups (JWGs) on varied issues such as new &amp; renewable energy, animal husbandry, health &amp; medicine.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>India-Middle East EU Economic Corridor (IMEC)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Background:<\/strong> The IMEC, a proposed 4,800 km long route was announced in 2023 on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This followed a meeting between the leaders of India, the US, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Italy, France, Germany, and the European Commission.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Members:<\/strong> <strong>India, European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, UAE and US<\/strong> announced the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Aim: <\/strong>Integration of Asia, Europe and the Middle East.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The IMEC will comprise of two separate corridors:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The east corridor connecting India to the West Asia\/Middle East and&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The northern corridor connecting West Asia\/Middle East to Europe.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"c7c9bc\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"858\" height=\"479\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/10\/India-Middle-East-EU-Economic-Corridor-IMEC.webp\" alt=\"India-Middle East EU Economic Corridor (IMEC)\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-57222\" style=\"--dominant-color: #c7c9bc; width:560px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/10\/India-Middle-East-EU-Economic-Corridor-IMEC.webp 858w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/10\/India-Middle-East-EU-Economic-Corridor-IMEC-300x167.webp 300w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/10\/India-Middle-East-EU-Economic-Corridor-IMEC-768x429.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 858px) 100vw, 858px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ports Which are Part of IMEC<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>India:<\/strong> Ports in Mundra (Gujarat), Kandla (Gujarat), and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (Navi Mumbai).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Europe: <\/strong>Piraeus in Greece, Messina in Southern Italy, and Marseille in France.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Middle East:<\/strong> Ports include Fujairah, Jebel Ali, and Abu Dhabi in the UAE, as well as Dammam and Ras Al Khair ports in Saudi Arabia.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Israel:<\/strong> Haifa port.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Railway Line:<\/strong> The railway line will link Fujairah port in the UAE to Haifa port in Israel, passing through Saudi Arabia (Ghuwaifat and Haradh) and Jordan.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Significance of IMEC<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Economic Development:<\/strong> By linking Asia, West Asia, the Middle East and Europe through enhanced connectivity and economic integration, the corridor aims to give a boost to economic development in the regions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Enhances India\u2019s Connectivity and Trade Access: <\/strong>IMEC provides India with a direct, faster, and safer trade route connecting Indian ports to Europe via the Arabian Peninsula and the Mediterranean.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Reduces dependence on the Suez Canal route, cutting shipping time by up to 40% and costs by 20\u201330%.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strengthens India\u2019s Strategic Partnerships: <\/strong>Deepens India\u2019s ties with the U.S., EU, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Israel, all core IMEC participants.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Aligns with India\u2019s broader \u201cAct West Policy\u201d and encourages cooperation among traditional partners and new regional players.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Boost to Energy Security: <\/strong>The corridor can integrate energy pipelines and green hydrogen networks linking India with Gulf producers and European consumers.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Facilitates diversification of India\u2019s energy imports and enhances collaboration in renewable and clean energy sectors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Eco-friendly Infrastructure:<\/strong> It places emphasis on developing environmentally friendly infrastructure.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Concerns<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The security challenges<\/strong> in the region have made other partners reluctant to invest in the project.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The instability in the Middle East has given a fatal blow to the project, the delay in the project could negatively impact the aspirations of India in the region.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lack of Political Consensus: <\/strong>Although signed during the G20 Summit 2023, the IMEC memorandum is not legally binding, relying on voluntary participation.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Divergent priorities among members slow coordination and execution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Economic and Financial Viability: <\/strong>Estimated project costs are high, involving ports, railways, pipelines, and digital infrastructure across multiple jurisdictions.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>There is a lack of clarity on financing mechanisms\u2014whether it will be multilateral, public-private, or state-funded.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Infrastructure Gaps and Technical Challenges: <\/strong>Significant infrastructure deficits in West Asian countries\u2014especially in cross-border railway connectivity.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Integration of different railway gauges, standards, and customs procedures remains unresolved.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Way Forward<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The geopolitical concerns need to be managed by striking a delicate balance in accommodating the geopolitical interests of the participating nations and addressing potential political sensitivities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There is also a need to maintain the required security apparatus as the project passes through certain unstable regions of the world.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/resolution-of-palestinian-question-necessary-for-imec-connectivity-projects-to-progress-egyptian-fm-badr-abdelatty\/article70176594.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Context<\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">The first India\u2013Egypt Strategic Dialogue was held in New Delhi co-chaired by EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar and Egyptian FM.<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong>About<\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Egypt\u2019s Position: Egypt supports regional connectivity projects like India-Middle East EU Economic Corridor (IMEC) but believes progress is impossible without addressing the Palestinian question.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">It proposed that India join the Egyptian Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) \u2014 where Russia, China, and others already have industrial complexes \u2014 to strengthen connectivity and trade cooperation.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">India\u2019s Support to Palestine: EAM reiterated India\u2019s consistent support for the two-state solution, i.e. peaceful coexistence of Israel and Palestine as independent states.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Egypt\u2019s Geostrategic Role: Egypt aims to act as a bridge between Asia, Africa, and Europe, leveraging its Suez Canal Economic Zone for industrial and trade cooperation.<\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/18-10-2025\/resolution-palestinian-question-imec\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read\u00a0More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-57209","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57209","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=57209"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57209\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":57224,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57209\/revisions\/57224"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57209"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57209"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57209"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}