In a recent conversation at NHS Media Dr. Qamar Cheema spoke about Dr. Jaishankar’s strategic endeavours during his visit to Italy, specifically focusing on the promotion of the India, Middle East, and Europe Corridor (IMEC). The conversation outlines India’s diplomatic pursuits, emphasizing its efforts to strengthen relations with various countries, particularly Italy, and its proactive engagement in reshaping geopolitical and economic dynamics in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Europe.
Key Points:
- Dr. Jaishankar’s visit to Italy and Portugal signifies India’s strategic focus on the India, Middle East, and Europe Corridor (IMEC). This initiative aims to strengthen diplomatic ties, particularly with Italy and emphasizes a rules-based order and resilient supply chains.
- India’s keen interest in the Mediterranean and West Asia is driven by the need to secure supply chain routes, especially through the Suez Canal. Establishing alliances with North African countries and advocating against terrorism and extremism showcases India’s active role in these regions.
- India’s robust bilateral trade with Italy, exceeding $14 billion, demonstrates the economic importance of their relationship. The signing of a mobility and migration pact further strengthens bilateral ties, while collaborations with the US and Gulf countries in the IMEC corridor project provide India with a strategic advantage.
- India’s efforts towards becoming an industrial hub and diverting manufacturing from China present ambitious yet challenging goals.
Dr Cheema said that the contemporary global landscape is witnessing a significant shift in power dynamics, marked by India’s assertive endeavors in enhancing its geopolitical footprint. Dr. Qamar Cheema’s said that Dr. Jaishankar’s diplomatic initiatives in Europe, underscore the IMEC corridor as a pivotal element of India’s strategic outreach.
Dr. Cheema believed that Dr. Jaishankar’s diplomatic visit to Italy and Portugal signifies India’s proactive approach to bolstering ties within the IMEC corridor. Emphasizing the significance of strengthening relationships, particularly with Italy, Dr. Qamar Cheema highlighted Italy’s strategic alignment with the US and India, reflecting its distancing from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). India’s pursuit of a rules-based order and resilient supply chains resonates with its emphasis on naval cooperation, reflecting a comprehensive strategic vision.
India’s strategic interest in the Mediterranean region and West Asia underscores the country’s pursuit to secure its supply chain routes, especially via the Suez Canal. Dr. Cheema’s observations highlight India’s concerted efforts to forge alliances with countries in North Africa, such as Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia, as a means to establish robust connectivity between Asia and Europe. India’s focus on countering terrorism and extremism, particularly in the context of Israel and Palestine, showcases its active role in global dialogues.
Dr. Cheema underscored India’s burgeoning bilateral trade with Italy, surpassing $14 billion, illustrating the economic significance of their ties. India’s proactive engagement in signing a mobility and migration pact with Italy emphasizes its commitment to legal migration, further fortifying bilateral relations. Moreover, India’s collaborative efforts with the US, Saudi Arabia, and Gulf nations in the IMEC corridor project provide India with a strategic edge in the region.
India’s emphasis on global cooperation in the Middle East and beyond positions the country as a key player in shaping regional dynamics. Dr. Cheema highlighted Europe’s fatigue concerning certain societal issues, providing India with an advantage due to its relative lack of religious controversies. This positions India favorably for collaborations and engagements in the Gulf, Mediterranean, and European regions.
While India’s aspirations to become an industrial hub and redirect manufacturing from China are ambitious, the process entails complexities and a time-consuming transition. The forthcoming elections and the need for political stability pose challenges to India’s sustained global outreach. Simultaneously, Pakistan faces the imperative to reassess its engagement with India and the broader global community to match India’s level of strategic diplomacy.
Conclusively, Dr. Cheema provided a comprehensive view of India’s diplomatic endeavors in the IMEC corridor, highlighting its concerted efforts to solidify regional alliances and economic engagements. India’s proactive approach in reshaping global dynamics through its strategic expansion in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Europe signals a significant shift in the geopolitical landscape. There is need for Pakistan to re-evaluate its strategic approach to engage at a global level, recognizing the evolving dynamics within the region. India’s pursuit of economic and diplomatic prominence necessitates a nuanced understanding of regional politics and global dynamics.
