A north-south Asia corridor is a step in the right direction

Source: The post is based on the article “A north-south Asia corridor is a step in the right direction” published in the Indian Express on 9th May 2023

Syllabus: GS 2 – Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Relevance: About North-South Asia corridor for India.

News: Recently, India’s National Security Advisor participated in a meeting in Saudi Arabia with his US, Saudi Arabia and UAE counterparts.

What are the key highlights of the meeting?

-It marks a deepening of India’s outreach towards West Asia, strengthening the initiative taken with the 12U2 grouping.

-The meeting signals a broader, integrated approach to India’s West — similar to the Indo-Pacific — along with the US and regional partners.

Plan on North-South Asia corridor: The meeting discussed a proposal to link countries in West Asia through rail networks and roads, as well as build corridors between the region and South Asia through sea lanes.

The project is a response to China’s Belt and Road initiative, which has been used by Beijing to increase its footprint across Asia.

About the viability of the North-South Asia corridor

The project is viable due to the following a) Asian countries now understand the issues with China’s “debt trap” diplomacy, b) There is a visible reduction in the rivalry between the West Asian countries, c) Indian expertise in railways as demonstrated recently in Sri Lanka,

De-hyphenation in the region: The Abraham Accords of 2020 functionally normalised ties between Israel and the UAE and Bahrain. Similarly, Saudi Arabia and Iran also restored their ties earlier this year.

What are the challenges in participating North-South Asia corridor for India?

a) Land connectivity with West Asia remains a challenge for India, due to the India-Pakistan issue, b) the new project will test India’s balancing act with Russia and China and Russia and the West.

What are the advantages of the North-South Asia corridor for India?

Provide energy security: Direct corridors between West Asia and the Subcontinent will ensure a more steady and reliable supply of crude oil.

Increase India’s credibility in project execution: India building railways will increase the country’s reputation as an executor of major projects.

Increase employability: The direct presence of Indian companies and government can brighten the prospects for millions of Indian workers in the region.