Plan to bypass Turkey revealed: remarkable analysis

A notable news story about the India-Middle East trade corridor plan, which was put on the agenda and accepted at the G-20 Leaders Summit, came from the British newspaper Financial Times.

The newspaper writes that Ankara plans to push to create an alternative to this trade corridor, where Turkey will be bypassed. The newspaper said: “Ankara intends to assume its traditional role in transporting goods from Asia to Europe. “Turkey is in intense negotiations to create an alternative to the India-Middle East trade corridor accepted at the G-20 Summit this month.”

It was announced that the United States and the EU support the India-Middle East trade corridor, which was included on the agenda of the summit held last week.

In the news signed by Adam Samson it is stated that President Erdoğan did not like this plan either. Under the new plan, goods shipped from India will not be shipped through Baghdad and Turkey as in the past, but will instead be shipped to European markets via the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel. It was also noted that the United States and the EU, which support the creation of this corridor, aim to reduce China’s influence in the region.

HAKAN FIDAN MADE A STATEMENT

Speaking to the Financial Times, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan made statements in this regard.

Fidan said: “Experts have doubts that the India-Middle East corridor is logical and effective. Geostrategic concerns are greater. A trade route does not just mean trade. “It is also a reflection of geostrategic competition,” he said.

Fidan said he is in intense negotiations with Iraq, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates and that negotiations are continuing to create an alternative route.

On the map produced by the Financial Times, the blue arrows show the India-Middle East corridor, while the red arrow shows the trade corridor, which was included on the agenda some time ago and includes Turkey.

In this new $17 billion plan, transportation will begin from the Iraqi port of Grand Faw and pass through 10 regions of Iraq until reaching Turkey. In the images shared by the Baghdad administration, in this plan a 1,200-kilometer high-speed train line will be laid and this process will be completed in three stages. The project is expected to be completed in 2050.

However, experts speaking to the Financial Times stated that this project may have some financial and security problems. While experts said Turkey’s economic situation may not be enough to support this project, they also noted that security issues in Iraq could cause problems. Iraq stands out as a country experiencing financial difficulties along with poor infrastructure, weak government, and political uncertainty.

Experts noted that the India-Middle East corridor, which was included in the agenda of the G-20 Summit, may take decades to implement.

In the Financial Times news, “Turkey is establishing a strategic line between East and West by establishing strong relations with the US, EU, Russia and China. This approach sometimes causes tensions with the West. “Sanctions were imposed on some Turkish companies this week due to the war between Russia and Ukraine.” The newspaper also recalled that President Erdoğan might have the opportunity to speak on this issue if he meets with US President Joe Biden at the United Nations General Assembly to be held in New York next week.

WHAT DID ERDOĞAN SAY?

After the G-20 Leaders Summit, President Erdoğan made a statement on the issue.

Erdogan in India G20 When asked by reporters on the plane after the summit, he recalled China’s Belt and Road project and emphasized that progress had been made on the issue and that Marmaray was included in that plan. Regarding the new highway line presented on the agenda by the Prime Minister of India, Erdogan said: “We say this: there is no corridor without Turkey. Türkiye is an important production and trade base. “The most suitable line for east-west traffic has to go through Turkey,” he said.