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A landmark multinational railway and seaport agreement was announced Saturday at the G20 summit in New Delhi. The major infrastructure pact will connect ports across the Middle East to India and boost regional integration and commerce.

The deal involves the United States, India, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, European Union and other G20 partners. It aims to enhance trade flows and cut shipping times and costs between the Gulf and Europe by linking the regions via rail.

Deal Seen as Alternative to China’s Belt and Road

The agreement comes as President Joe Biden pushes to position the U.S. as a preferable partner over China for major infrastructure projects in developing nations. This latest deal offers an alternative to Beijing’s sweeping Belt and Road Initiative.

By facilitating faster and cheaper movement of goods across regions, the rail and seaport pact can stimulate economic growth and stability. It also helps counter Chinese influence through competitive infrastructure financing and development.

At the signing event, Biden called it a “real big deal” that will spawn major opportunities for clean energy, electricity access, and broadband connectivity. The agreement reflects emerging realignments between the West, India, and the Middle East.

Ports to be Linked from India to the Gulf and Europe

The memorandum of understanding will specifically connect ports in the Gulf region to India through new railway infrastructure. This enables shipments from the Middle East to then flow more efficiently to European markets.

The lowered transportation costs and time are expected to benefit trade and commerce, especially for lower and middle income nations in the areas linked. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the connectivity will allow future generations to “dream bigger.”

Enhanced mobility of energy supplies and other goods between the Gulf and Europe is a key motivator. The deal creates a vital new trade corridor cutting across much of Asia.

Opportunity to ‘Turn Down Temperature’ Across the Middle East

From a geopolitical perspective, the U.S. views the economic integration pact as lowering tensions and conflicts in the Middle East. Improved prosperity and stability are expected fruits over the long-term.

The railway and ports deal also comes as the U.S. pursues a broader diplomatic realignment in the region. This includes efforts to broker ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer said the agreement can “address conflicts where we see them” and dampen flashpoints overall across the Middle East. The economic focus aligns with larger U.S. aims to reduce violence and enhance cooperation.

G20 Partners See Vast Mutual Benefits

India, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and other partners underscored the vast opportunities from linking their economies and supply chains more seamlessly. The pact showcases joint gains through multinational coordination.

Investment in transcontinental rail and modernized ports will lay the foundation for generations to come. Participants called it a visionary initiative unlocking the untapped potential of interwoven infrastructure.

The memoranda of understanding set the stage to turn the bold vision into reality. The partners will now hammer out concrete steps, timetables, and funding schemes to implement the complex web of projects.