The growing partnership between India and Israel is emerging as a key pillar in shaping a value-based alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) gaining strategic importance.
According to an analysis published in The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent engagement with Israel highlights a deeper alignment between the two nations as part of a broader geo-economic strategy.
The article notes that India is increasingly focusing on building strong, issue-based partnerships rather than following traditional non-alignment policies. This shift reflects New Delhi’s effort to strengthen its strategic autonomy while countering China’s expanding influence across global trade and infrastructure networks.
At the center of this vision lies IMEC, a proposed economic corridor connecting India with Europe through the Middle East. Unlike traditional infrastructure initiatives, IMEC is positioned as a “values-based” framework that promotes transparency, shared governance, and sustainable development.
The corridor is expected to enhance trade connectivity while reducing dependence on routes dominated by China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Over the past decade, China has built extensive networks across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, creating strong economic interdependencies through large-scale investments.
From a strategic perspective, IMEC aims to offer an alternative model—one that emphasises collaboration, institutional stability, and balanced partnerships. Countries like Israel and Greece are seen as crucial partners due to their technological capabilities and stable governance systems.
However, analysts point out that China still holds a significant advantage through its already operational infrastructure projects, including major corridors and ports that continue to shape global trade flows.
For IMEC to succeed, it will need to establish strong institutional credibility, ensure financial sustainability, and deliver efficient logistics networks. The focus will be on creating a de-risked ecosystem that prioritises transparency and shared benefits over dependency.
Overall, the India-Israel partnership is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing IMEC as a credible and strategic alternative to China’s BRI, potentially reshaping global trade dynamics in the coming years.
