[ad_1]
Last updated: May 07, 2023, at 15:43 IST
Washington, United States
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said he will fly to Saudi Arabia on Sunday to meet with Saudi leaders. (Reuters)
It is expected that Saudi Arabia, the United States and India will jointly develop a network of railways that will link the Gulf countries and shipping lanes to connect the Arab countries with India.
The US National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, is planning a meeting with Saudi, Emirati and Indian national security agencies in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to discuss a possible major infrastructure project in the Middle East.
The meeting will be the first of its kind with the participation of national security agencies in the volatile region, where India has a huge stake. Sullivan announced Thursday that he will fly to Saudi Arabia for talks with Saudi leaders including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Sullivan also said that representatives from India and the United Arab Emirates will also be present in Saudi Arabia to discuss “new areas of cooperation between New Delhi and the Gulf as well as the United States and the rest of the region,” Reuters reported.
A report published by Axios newspaper stated that the countries are expected to develop a network of railways that would connect the Gulf countries and shipping lanes to link the Arab countries with India.
The United States wants to advance the project as its main initiative in the Middle East to counter China’s growing influence in the region. The report stated that a US official said the joint venture would be one of the many topics discussed during the visit.
The Middle East is not only a key part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, but Beijing plays a crucial role in mediating between Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the Saudi and Houthi fighters in Yemen.
Sullivan will also discuss bilateral relations, regional issues, and additional normalization steps between Washington and Riyadh with the Crown Prince.
Oil production cuts by the Saudi-led OPEC+ and disagreements between the United States and Saudi Arabia over the death of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018 have damaged relations between the two allies.
The report further stated that the idea for the major infrastructure project emerged during talks held in the past 18 months at a forum titled I2U2 in which the United States, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and India participated.
The Biden administration recently expanded the idea to include Saudi Arabia’s participation in the initiative. Israel is not currently included in this initiative, but it could be added to it in the future.
Read all the latest India news and Karnataka elections 2023 update here
[ad_2]
