NSAs of US, India, UAE Meet To Connect Countries Using Indian Expertise

NSA Ajit Doval Sunday met with US, Saudi & UAE officials to link West Asian countries & South Asian regions through rail, via sea lanes, by using Indian expertise.

Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has traveled to Saudi Arabia to attend a meeting on Sunday with his counterparts from the United States and the United Arab Emirates to discuss a joint project to build railway, maritime, and road connectivity in the larger region. 

The initiative aims to connect the Indian subcontinent in South Asia with West Asia via a network of railways and seaports. 

The project, which is among the key initiatives that the White House wants to push in the Middle East as China’s influence in the region grows, will also be financially sustainable and viable.

India has three strategic objectives for participating in this project. Firstly, India wants to counter Beijing’s expansion of its sphere of political influence in the West Asian region and its Belt and Road project. The connectivity boost will also help India’s eight million citizens who live and work in the Gulf region. 

Secondly, India wants to build a brand as an infrastructure builder in the railways sector. 

Lastly, India wants to use shipping routes to reach West Asian ports to access transit routes to western neighbors for transportations.

The project would connect Arab countries in the Levant and the Gulf via a network of railways that will also connect to India through seaports in the Gulf. 

Connectivity projects crisscrossing the Gulf and Arab countries, with Indian stakes, will open up trading opportunities. 

With this initiative, India intends to showcase its expertise in building rail infrastructure and position itself as a leading infrastructure builder in the railways sector, thereby countering China’s Belt and Road project.

India is leading the project as it aligns with its strategic interests in the region, provides energy security, and opens up trading opportunities. 

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The initiative will also help India position itself as a leading infrastructure builder in the railways sector and enhance its strategic standing in the region.