India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor: First Meeting On The Ambitious Project Likely To Be Held In Mumbai, Says Report

The first meeting on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) is expected to be held in Mumbai, marking the formal launch of the ambitious trade route project, Financial Express reported.

At a joint press conference with Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani after the meeting of the India-Italy Business Forum, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed that the planning of the project is in its initial phase.

“We are still at a stage of firming up how it will pan out, what will be the route it will take and which are the countries which will support it – financially and through right of way," said Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.

He added, “I think there is a shared understanding amongst all the countries along the IMEEC route that economic benefits and impact on the environment of the Corridor will be huge for the economic development of all the countries on the route.”

Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani said, “It will also be useful in the Middle East in the commercial exchange of trade. It will help bring peace for the population many of whom have been facing violence. It is an opportunity for modernisation.”

The corridor will include two routes: the east corridor connecting India to the Arabian Gulf, and the northern corridor connecting the Arabian Gulf to Europe.

It will feature a railway link that will provide a reliable and cost-effective cross-border ship-to-rail transit network.

This network will supplement existing maritime and road transport routes, enabling goods and services to move to, from, and between India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, and Europe.

Participants also plan to lay cables for electricity and digital connectivity, as well as pipelines for clean hydrogen export along the railway.

The corridor aims to secure regional supply chains, improve trade accessibility and facilitation, and support environmental, social, and governance goals.