The idea for this new initiative comes from discussions held over the past 18 months in another forum called I2U2, which includes the US, Israel, UAE and India.
Washington DC:
Leaders from the US, India, Saudi Arabia and other countries are talking about possible infrastructure deals related to railways and ports. Reuters gave this information citing sources on Friday. According to the agency, the report of the conversation was first published in the American newsletter Axios.
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According to American Newsletter, this new project could be an important initiative. The White House is taking it further in the Middle East, where China’s influence is growing and the country is a key part of Beijing’s Belt and Road vision.
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According to Axios, sources have said that the project is expected to connect the Levant and Gulf Arab countries through a network of railways, which will also connect to India through Gulf ports.
A conversation in a forum called I2U2 in 18 months
Apart from this, Axios cited two sources as saying that the idea for this new initiative came from discussions held over the past 18 months at another forum called I2U2, which includes the US, Israel, UAE and India. The forum was established in late 2021 to discuss strategic infrastructure projects in the Middle East and counter Beijing’s growing influence in the region.
Utilization of India’s expertise in infrastructure projects
During the I2U2 meeting last year, Israel floated the idea of ​​connecting the region by rail. Part of the idea was to use India’s expertise on such large infrastructure projects, a source said. Exois cited sources as saying the Biden administration had expanded on the idea to include Saudi Arabia’s involvement.