A MULTINATIONAL rail and shipping project linking India with the Middle East and Europe has been announced on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi in a step seen as a challenge to China's economic ambitions in the region.
The corridor, which would include India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Israel and the European Union, would help boost trade, deliver energy resources and improve digital connectivity, according to Doha, Qatar's Al Jazeera.
US President Joe Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said the network reflected Mr Biden's vision for "far-reaching investments" that come from "effective American leadership" and a willingness to embrace other nations as partners.
He said the enhanced infrastructure would boost economic growth, help bring countries in the Middle East together and establish that region as a hub for economic activity instead of as a "source of challenge, conflict or crisis" as it has been in recent history.
Mr Biden seeks to counter China's Belt and Road push on global infrastructure by pitching Washington as an alternative partner and investor for developing countries at the G20 grouping.
"This is a big deal. This is a really big deal," Mr Biden said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi of summit host India said: "Today, as we embark upon such a big connectivity initiative, we are sowing the seeds for future generations to dream bigger.
"Enhancing connectivity with all regions has been a key priority for India," said Mr Modi, speaking through a translator. "We believe that connectivity is a means to not only increase mutual trade between different countries but also increase mutual trust."
Al Jazeera's Katrina Yu reporting from the Indian capital, New Delhi, said officials are hailing the deal as a "game-changer".
"They say it is an economic corridor designed to link India, the Middle East and Europe. It will consist of railway lines and shipping lines that will pass through the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel," Ms Yu said.
"Details are pretty scant at the moment. But US and European officials who were present during that announcement hailed it as historic. They said it will cut trade time between India and Europe by 40 per cent," she added.
Ms Yu said Beijing was not present during the announcement of the deal.
"Conspicuously absent from this announcement was China. It seems this is a clear plan to rival China's massive Belt and Road infrastructure initiative that was announced back in 2013, which is designed to connect Asia, Africa and Europe. So, it seems that this is really a counterweight plan," Ms Yu added.
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