Israel-Gaza conflict challenge to U.S.-backed economic corridor: FM Sitharaman
The Hindu
India's FM Sitharaman warns of geopolitical challenges posed by Israel-Gaza conflict to US-backed economic corridor linking Middle East and South Asia. Conflict a "worrying manifestation" of challenges to corridor.
The Israel-Gaza conflict is a "worrying manifestation" of geopolitical challenges for the U.S.-backed multinational economic corridor, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Wednesday.
In September, global leaders announced a rail and ports deal linking the Middle East and South Asia, as the U.S. seeks to counter China's Belt and Road push on global infrastructure with a new economic corridor.
The proposed corridor will pass through Israel, which has been engaged in a fierce conflict with Hamas in the Gaza strip, in retaliation for the militants' cross-border assault into Israel on October 7.
"It (the corridor) is not without its geopolitical challenges and the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza is a worrying manifestation of these," Ms. Sitharaman said during a conference.
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