India to Emerge as Key Link in Global Trade via IMEC: Piyush Goyal

17 Apr 2025 CW Team

He highlighted IMEC's potential to cut logistics costs by up to 30% and reduce transport time by 40%, enabling seamless trade between Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. With potential links to Africa, IMEC will feature integrated networks including rail, road, energy pipelines, undersea cables, and clean energy infrastructure.

Goyal asserted that the initiative is rooted in mutual trust, inclusivity, and respect for sovereignty, and not geopolitical dominance. He confirmed ongoing clean energy and digital cooperation discussions with Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

To ensure IMEC’s success, Goyal proposed a five-pronged roadmap:

1. Public-Private Partnership (PPP) – Encouraging private sector leadership to drive innovation, efficiency, and practical planning.

2. Regulatory Connectivity – Harmonising trade and customs procedures, and promoting systems like India’s UPI for digital payments.

3. Innovative Financing – Leveraging green bonds and multilateral funding, including long-term “IMEC Bonds” for sustainable development.

4. Industry Participation – Involving trade bodies to address on-ground challenges and business needs.

5. Think Tanks & Academia – Engaging intellectual capital for creative solutions, policy support, and capacity building.

Calling IMEC a visionary and inclusive initiative, Goyal reaffirmed India's commitment to acting as a trusted bridge in global connectivity, inspired by the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the world is one family.

(PIB)

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal emphasised India's pivotal role in transforming global connectivity and trade during the High-Level Roundtable on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) held in New Delhi. Describing IMEC as a modern-day Silk Route, Goyal said the initiative is poised to boost global commerce while strengthening cultural and civilizational ties across regions. He highlighted IMEC's potential to cut logistics costs by up to 30% and reduce transport time by 40%, enabling seamless trade between Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. With potential links to Africa, IMEC will feature integrated networks including rail, road, energy pipelines, undersea cables, and clean energy infrastructure. Goyal asserted that the initiative is rooted in mutual trust, inclusivity, and respect for sovereignty, and not geopolitical dominance. He confirmed ongoing clean energy and digital cooperation discussions with Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. To ensure IMEC’s success, Goyal proposed a five-pronged roadmap: 1. Public-Private Partnership (PPP) – Encouraging private sector leadership to drive innovation, efficiency, and practical planning. 2. Regulatory Connectivity – Harmonising trade and customs procedures, and promoting systems like India’s UPI for digital payments. 3. Innovative Financing – Leveraging green bonds and multilateral funding, including long-term “IMEC Bonds” for sustainable development. 4. Industry Participation – Involving trade bodies to address on-ground challenges and business needs. 5. Think Tanks & Academia – Engaging intellectual capital for creative solutions, policy support, and capacity building. Calling IMEC a visionary and inclusive initiative, Goyal reaffirmed India's commitment to acting as a trusted bridge in global connectivity, inspired by the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the world is one family. (PIB)

Infrastructure Transport

06 Feb 2026

Second Mountain Tunnel Breakthrough in Palghar Advances High Speed Rail

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed rail (MAHSR) project reached a milestone with the breakthrough of a mountain tunnel in Palghar, Maharashtra. Mountain tunnel MT-six measures 454 metres long and 14.4 metres wide and will accommodate up and down tracks. The breakthrough follows MT-five near Saphale on second January 2026 and the MT-six excavation was completed from both ends using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method. The ministry reported that the tunnelling was completed within 12 months. The New Austrian Tunnelling Method is favoured for its flexibility in complex geology and irregular tunnel s..

Infrastructure Transport

06 Feb 2026

Modi Government Pushes Atmanirbhar Container Drive With BCSL MoU

The Union Government advanced a plan to create an integrated, domestically anchored container ecosystem with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL). The MoU was signed by key agencies including the Shipping Corporation of India and Container Corporation of India alongside major port authorities and Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, in the presence of senior ministers. The initiative aligns with the Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme announced in the Union Budget 2026–2..

Infrastructure Urban

06 Feb 2026

Ministry Reports Gains In Mobility For Marginalised Communities

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing skill development, education and rehabilitation schemes to promote socio-economic mobility and sustainable livelihoods for marginalised and disadvantaged communities across the country. Programmes target Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, Economically Weaker Sections, De-notified Tribes and Safai Karamcharis through specialised implementing corporations and empanelled training institutes. Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi Yojana, or PM-DAKSH, provided skill training and placement support through the Nati..