WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden suggested that the India-West asia-Europe economic corridor which was unveiled during the Delhi G20 summit might be a factor behind the recent terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel. Biden made this statement during a press conference while hosting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on his visit to the United States.

The India-West Asia-Europe Economic Corridor, introduced at the G20 summit in September aims to connect the India-West Asia-Europe region through an extensive railway network. Biden mentioned that he believes this could have been a potential motive for the attack by Hamas on Israel, though he clarified that he lacked sufficient evidence to confirm this. He emphasized that the project should not be abandoned due to the attack. Biden also stressed the importance of increased economic and political collaboration among West Asian countries to promote development.

Biden compared this corridor to China's Belt and Road Initiative, which offers an alternative economic approach supported by the United States, India, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, France and Germany. The India-West Asia-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) was announced jointly by the leaders of Italy and the European Union at the G20 summit. The project encompasses an Eastern Corridor linking India with the Gulf region and a Northern Corridor connecting the Gulf region with Europe. Biden asserted that increased economic and political cooperation among Middle Eastern nations could bring about significant changes.