According to sources cited by Reuters on Friday, the leaders of the US, India, Saudi Arabia, and other nations are discussing a potential infrastructure deal involving trains and ports.
According to the agency, the American newsletter Axios published the initial information about the negotiations.
According to the American newsletter, the White House may utilize this new project as the centerpiece of its Middle East policy because of China’s expanding influence and its pivotal role in Beijing’s Belt and Road effort.
Before the 2024 campaign consumes Biden’s agenda, the Biden administration wants to finish its diplomatic push for a significant accord with Saudi Arabia that might include a normalization pact between the country and Israel.
Using a network of trains that will also connect to India through seaports in the Gulf, the project is anticipated to connect Arab nations in the Levant and the Gulf, according to Axios.
According to Axios, quoting two sources, the concept for this new endeavor was discussed during discussions held over the previous 18 months in a different group dubbed I2U2, which comprises the US, Israel, the UAE, and India.
The group was founded in late 2021 to discuss important Middle Eastern infrastructure initiatives and check Beijing’s expanding regional influence.
During the I2U2 talks the past year, Israel brought up the notion of connecting the region via railroads. According to a source, using India’s experience on such large infrastructure projects was part of the plan.
Axios said while citing the source that the Biden administration then expanded on the concept to incorporate Saudi Arabia’s participation.
