India's G20 biggest dream project shattering immediately after announcement
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The G20 conference held in India generated significant buzz with the unveiling of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. However, a cloud of uncertainty loomed over this ambitious project due to the questionable accuracy of a map circulated by Indian media outlets.
The corridor, jointly announced by the Indian prime minister and the European Union commissioner, was presented as a promising sign of improved relations between India and Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Western media speculated whether it could rival China's Belt and Road initiative, particularly benefiting Pakistan.
The source of contention revolved around an Indian Express-released map depicting the corridor stretching from India to the UAE through Saudi Arabia, into Israel, and onward to Europe. Michael Kugelman, South Asia Director at the Wildon Institute, highlighted a critical issue by questioning the map's origins and accuracy. He emphasized that Piraeus in Greece, included in the map, had not been part of the official announcement.
As the map debate escalated, India Today presented another map detailing which segments of the corridor would utilize sea and rail transportation. Kugelman quickly pointed out that this map differed from others and was self-labeled as 'not authoritative' by its creators.
In response to concerns about the economic feasibility of relying on sea, train, and sea routes compared to the Suez Canal, Kugelman underscored that initial criticism of the project stemmed from unrealistic depictions in the circulating maps.
The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor encompasses multiple corridors, with the eastern route connecting India to Gulf countries through existing sea routes and a rail network leading up to Israel. The Western Corridor seeks to establish a trade route to Europe, leveraging pre-established infrastructure. Despite the intriguing potential of this corridor, the accuracy of maps remains a critical aspect that requires clarification to ensure the project's success and credibility.
