The Indian-Middle East-European Economic Corridor (IMEC) is a transport and trade corridor project. This corridor is a very important logistics network aiming to connect India to the Middle East and Europe. The main objective of IMEC is to facilitate trade between India and Europe, shorten transport times and reduce logistics costs.
IMEC’s route starts from western India and extends to Central and Eastern Europe via Iran, Azerbaijan and Russia. This corridor integrates different modes of transport, from maritime transport to road and rail transport. Road transport starts from India and extends through Iran to Central Asia and then to Russia; maritime transport starts from South India and extends from the southern coastal cities of Iran to the Caspian Sea and from there to the Black Sea; railway lines are also being built and modernised as part of this project. China could be an important actor to be included in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. This is because China tends to use such corridors to expand its international trade network.
The successful implementation of IMEC aims to contribute to increasing trade and strengthening economic cooperation between these regions. IMEC will accelerate and facilitate trade processes between India and the Middle East and Europe. This corridor will reduce transport costs thanks to shorter transport routes and more efficient logistics operations. This corridor will also promote regional integration by creating opportunities for cooperation between different countries and energy savings will be achieved through shorter transport routes.
The success of IMEC depends on the co-operation and infrastructure development efforts of the countries participating in this project. Since this corridor involves many countries spread over a large geographical area, political, security and trade barriers between different countries need to be overcome. Large-scale logistics projects realised within the framework of IMEC will provide significant benefits for the countries in the region by promoting regional economic integration and cooperation.
IMEC and China constitute the dynamics of competition and co-operation between the two great powers influencing regional and global economic dynamics. Both India and China want to emerge as regional and global economic leaders. Therefore, an element of competition between China and India is observed. Projects under IMEC will aim to increase India’s economic clout and compete with major infrastructure projects such as China’s “Belt and Road Initiative”. At the same time, these projects will provide opportunities to promote regional cooperation and economic integration.
China stands out as a country that has the potential to trade with many countries of IMEC. Especially China will have easier access to Europe through this corridor and will have easier access to energy resources from the Middle East. Thus, China’s regional and global economic influence will increase. Both India and China will utilise these projects for strategic and geopolitical purposes. In particular, factors such as access to energy resources, maritime security and regional balance of power will shape the strategic thinking behind these projects. Since the success of IMEC depends on the co-operation between the countries involved in this project, both India and China will contribute to the success of this project. Inter-country cooperation and dialogue will promote regional stability and economic growth.
IMEC also includes some potential challenges for China. IMEC has close relations with countries with which China is in geopolitical competition, such as India, Iran and Russia. This competitive environment could complicate the implementation of the project and hinder co-operation between India and China.
Security problems in the regions through which IMEC passes could threaten trade routes, which could pose logistical challenges for China. Security issues in Central Asia may also pose a risk to IMEC’s security, especially in unstable regions such as Afghanistan, where trade may be disrupted and become risky. Infrastructure and logistics problems need to be solved in order to utilise the full potential of IMEC. Failure to fully resolve these issues may pose a challenge to relations between India and China
The success of IMEC will depend on trade liberalisation and barrier removal along this corridor. This will require harmonisation of trade policies and customs procedures between different countries. Trade barriers due to different customs procedures in China and India can prevent the smooth movement of goods and services. China has its own major regional infrastructure projects, such as the Belt and Road Initiative.
These projects, which will compete with IMEC, may cause China to divert its resources and attention in different directions. IMEC may face geopolitical, security, infrastructure, economic and other challenges. In conclusion, the relationship between the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and China is complex and multifaceted. Both countries have the potential to use these projects for their own benefit, but they will also promote regional cooperation and economic integration. The future of these projects will be shaped by the policy and co-operation decisions of these and other participating countries.
