PM Modi, Netanyahu Review Progress On India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday examined progress on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). They conveyed their determination to intensify cooperation under the framework to strengthen regional connectivity, stability and shared prosperity.

Both leaders also explored Israel’s prospective role within the evolving architecture of the corridor.

The IMEC initiative emerged on the margins of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi in 2023.

Leaders from India, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the United States endorsed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly develop the corridor.

The project envisions two distinct routes. The eastern corridor will link India to the Gulf region. The northern corridor will, however, connect the Gulf to Europe.

The corridor seeks to enhance logistical efficiency, compress transit costs and fortify supply chains. It aims to expand market access and stimulate employment generation.

Policymakers view it as a transformative bridge integrating Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Both Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to a resilient special strategic partnership anchored in peace, security and prosperity. They underscored the importance of innovation-led growth and entrepreneurial collaboration as drivers of bilateral advancement.

According to the Joint Statement, the leaders stressed institutionalising cooperation across government-to-government, business-to-business and people-to-people channels. They asserted that structured mechanisms would deliver measurable and sustained outcomes.

In the context of global volatility, the two sides reiterated support for the I2U2 partnership. They described the quadrilateral platform as an effective vehicle for advancing trade, investment and technological collaboration by leveraging complementary capabilities.

The leaders unequivocally condemned terrorism in all forms, including cross-border extremism. They called for coordinated international action to address the threat comprehensively.

The leaders denounced the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, the April 22, 202,5 assault on Indian tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and the November 10, 2025, incident near Red Fort, New Delhi. They also reviewed regional developments and the broader peace process.

The Prime Ministers welcomed US President Donald Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict. They further reaffirmed their shared resolve to promote durable peace, maritime security and uninterrupted freedom of navigation and trade through dialogue and mutual understanding.

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