Israel’s Foreign Minister Visits India to Revive Middle East–Europe–India Corridor Amid Gaza Ceasefire
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar met Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi for three days of talks, focusing on reviving the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor (IMEC) after the US-brokered Gaza ceasefire. The corridor aims to boost trade, energy, and digital connectivity across regions, leveraging peace to advance infrastructure projects. The visit signals renewed diplomatic momentum ahead of a possible Netanyahu trip to India in December.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s visit to India marks a significant effort to rejuvenate bilateral ties and reinvigorate the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor (IMEC), a major infrastructure initiative sidelined by the Gaza conflict. Following the recent Gaza ceasefire, which has enabled hostage exchanges and eased regional tensions, both nations are keen to restart progress on IMEC, aiming to connect India, the Middle East, and Europe through maritime, rail, energy, and digital links. The article highlights that IMEC faced setbacks after the October 2023 Hamas attack and subsequent two-year Gaza war, but the ceasefire and US-led peace plan have restored momentum. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has endorsed the peace plan, emphasizing its potential to benefit the broader region. The ministers also discussed connectivity and trade opportunities, with Sa’ar’s visit setting the stage for further high-level engagement, including a possible trip by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in December. The article underlines the strategic importance of the corridor for regional development and global trade, while also noting unrelated political developments in Pakistan regarding a constitutional amendment.
