The ambitious intercontinental connectivity project – the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEEC) – launched at the G-20 summit in Delhi in September 2023 with signatories including India, the UAE, the United States, the European Union, Saudi Arabia, France, Italy and Germany – was today given a fresh impetus, a statement from the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi said.
The delegation held talks with stakeholders including shipping lines.
“A delegation led by Shri T.K. Ramachandran, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, held extensive discussions with Mr. Mohammed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO, Abu Dhabi Ports. The delegation included Indian Ambassador to the UAE Sanjay Sudhir, CMD, Rights Limited Shah Rahul Mittal and Shri Unmesh Wagh, Chairman, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA). Prior to the meeting, an interactive discussion was held with stakeholders including terminal operators, shipping lines and customs. A presentation was also made in this regard,” the statement said.
Discussions also took place around the flagship application for the International Trade and Regulatory Interface, which was launched during the visit of the Crown Prince of Dubai to India.
“Previously, the Master Application for International Trade and Regulatory Interface (MAITRI) was launched during the visit of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, to India in September 2024. MAITRI is a platform that integrates existing trade portals, including the National Logistics Portal – Marine (NLP-M), Indian. “The Customs Electronic Gateway (ICEGATE), Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) provides seamless and paperless connectivity with similar portals on the UAE side,” the statement said.
“MAITRI will also support the Virtual Trade Corridor (VTC), which was launched during His Highness Sheikh Khalid’s visit. “The VTC will not only be an integral part of IMEEC, but will also help in bilateral trade between India and the UAE worth over US$ 85 billion,” the statement added.
Substantial work has already been done on the MAITRI platform with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPS&W) of India, and the development of the platform has been entrusted to RITES and C-DAC, which are working closely with JNPA, Deendayal Port and other major ports in India. A workshop in this regard was held in Mumbai on February 27 with the participation of Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The workshop was also attended by Abu Dhabi Ports and DP World and other important stakeholders from the UAE, the statement said.
The IMEEC signatories represent a large share of the global GDP. IMEEC will provide an alternative supply route connecting India, Europe and the USA via the Middle East. In addition to port and rail infrastructure, IMEEC is also expected to provide energy and digital connectivity. Work is also underway to lay the power grid between the UAE and India for solar energy. The two countries are also working on green hydrogen and common digital infrastructure, according to the statement.
