Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar arrived in New Delhi on Monday for a three-day visit. This is his first trip to India since taking office. He will meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday to discuss ways to deepen cooperation between the two countries.

Sa’ar’s visit comes ahead of a possible trip by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in December. It also coincides with the implementation of the US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza, which has led to the release of several Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.

Focus on India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor

During his visit, Sa’ar is expected to discuss regional connectivity projects, especially the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). India hopes to revive and push forward this initiative after signs of stability returned to the Middle East.

The IMEC was first proposed during the G20 Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi in September 2023. However, it faced delays after the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people and left about 250 hostages. The recent Gaza ceasefire, ending nearly two years of conflict that claimed over 68,000 Palestinian lives, has now opened the door for renewed talks on the project.

Aiming for Stronger Regional Connectivity

The corridor aims to link India, the Middle East, and Europe through a combination of maritime routes and high-speed rail networks. It would connect ports in the UAE to Israel’s Haifa port via Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

Besides improving trade, the corridor would also help build a clean hydrogen pipeline, an electricity network, and a high-speed undersea digital cable. These developments would support both energy security and digital infrastructure, while boosting India’s access to European markets.

Modi Welcomes Gaza Peace Plan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace proposal for Gaza. He called it a “viable pathway” to lasting peace and stability in the region.

“We welcome President Donald J. Trump’s announcement of a comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict. It provides a viable pathway to long-term and sustainable peace, security and development for the Palestinian and Israeli people, as also for the larger West Asian region,” Modi said in a post on X.

The plan marks a significant step toward restoring calm in the Middle East, creating space for diplomatic progress, and reviving economic cooperation projects like IMEC.