Material and Ideational Factors Behind Conceptualisation of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor

In recent years, partnerships with non-conventional allies have emerged as the norm in the world order, amid dynamic global polarity and unanticipated challenges. The India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) announced at the 2023 G20 Summit exemplifies this trend, linking three diverse regions with shared vulnerabilities and interests. This article aims to identify the key material and ideational drivers behind IMEC and analyse its opportunities and challenges. The European Union’s search to de-risk their engagements, Gulf countries’ push for non-oil economic diversification and India’s adept navigation of shifting alliances presents a congruence of their interests. Despite normative differences of the three regions, shared geo-economic and geo-political concerns underpin IMEC’s vision. While opportunities arise from the October 2025 Gaza Peace Summit, implementation faces hurdles from Middle East instability.