Highlight the significance of the recently envisaged India-Middle East-Europe corridor for India's connectivity with the world, especially the West. Do you think, in recent times, transport and energy initiatives have taken precedence in India's foreign policy?

Significance

Geopolitical

1. provide a counter to China's BRI and challenge its hegemony.

2. provides an alternate route to choke point of Suez canal

3. helps avoid the problematic and unstable red sea route

④ improve bilateral ties with west asian countries like S.Arabia, UAE etc

⑤ Embolden India EU ties.

Economy

① decrease the trade time with EU by atleast 30%.

② major push for India's exports to EU

③ ensure safe access to energy imports from west asia (nearly 80% of crude oil is imported by India)

④ boost regional development

⑤ create jobs in India

⑥ help attract investments

⑦ boost India's GDP.

Transport & Energy Projects

① International north south transit corridor.

② Construction of Chabahar port (Iran)

③ Kaladan multimodal transit project (Myanmar)

④ development of Trincomamallee oil field (Sri lanka)

⑤ Agartala - Akhora rail link project (Bangladesh).

Therefore it can be seen India's foreign policy is actively pursuing transport & energy projects

But at the same time we are also focusing on -

① Humanitarian aid & assistance (eg Operation Dost Turkey)

② Sustainable development (eg Asia Africa growth corridor).

③ global governance reforms (eg UNSC permanent seat).