NEW DELHI: A new ports and railway corridor for Middle East and South Asia will include train links to India, an Indian Foreign Ministry official said, offering new details about plan unveiled over weekend at G20 summit in Delhi.

Asked about proposals, Ausaf Sayeed, Secretary in Ministry of External Affairs spelled out that corridor would include trains to India and not just links by port.

Saudi Arabia is among top exporters of petroleum to India. They also agreed to create joint task force for $ 100 billion in Saudi investment, half of which is earmarked for delayed refinery project along India's western coast, Sayeed said.

 "India would be connected by railroads is right interpretation, rather than India building railroads," he said in response to question at media briefing.

Multinational rail and ports deal, which includes as members United States, Saudi Arabia, India, European Union and United Arab Emirates is being viewed as response to China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 13 2023

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