Journals / Anadolu Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi / 2025 / Volume: 26 Issue: 4

A NEW DIMENSION OF STRATEGIC RIVALRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE DEVELOPMENT ROAD AND THE INDIA-MIDDLE EAST-EUROPE ECONOMIC CORRIDOR (IMEC)

Pages
—
Publication Date
2025-12-29
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

This study compares the advantages and disadvantages of these two economic corridors by analyzing the strategic objectives underpinning their competition in the Middle East.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:The Middle East has historically attracted the attention of powerful empires.
📊
Key Findings & Data:Thanks to its abundant natural resources and strategic geographical position, the region has become a vital trade and cultural hub between Europe and Asia.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:This study compares the advantages and disadvantages of these two economic corridors by analyzing the strategic objectives underpinning their competition in the Middle East.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:The Middle East · Development Road · IMEC

Abstract

The Middle East has historically attracted the attention of powerful empires. Since the twentieth century, it has become a focal point for global powers seeking to assert their influence. Thanks to its abundant natural resources and strategic geographical position, the region has become a vital trade and cultural hub between Europe and Asia. However, in recent years, emerging powers such as China and India have increasingly regarded the Middle East as a strategic gateway to the Mediterranean and Europe. Under the framework of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and with the support of the United States, Europe, and Israel, India aspires to establish a commercial route to Europe through the Middle East as part of its broader strategy to compete with China. On the other hand, the Development Road, which was initiated by Türkiye and Iraq, offers a potential alternative to the IMEC and may even undermine IMEC’s viability by shifting the regional balance of power. This study compares the advantages and disadvantages of these two economic corridors by analyzing the strategic objectives underpinning their competition in the Middle East.

🔖

Cite This Article

Yıldırımçakar, E. (2025). A NEW DIMENSION OF STRATEGIC RIVALRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE DEVELOPMENT ROAD AND THE INDIA-MIDDLE EAST-EUROPE ECONOMIC CORRIDOR (IMEC). Anadolu Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi, Volume: 26 Issue: 4. https://doi.org/10.53443/anadoluibfd.1692341

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (66)

  1. Akbar, D. (2024). Modeling the impact of the development road on regional countries using artificial intelligence methods and potential outcomes. Ulaştırma ve Altyapı, 1, 190–208.
  2. Alaaldin, R. (2024, October 31). Iraq’s development road: A path to prosperity or instability? The Middle East Council on Global Affairs, Issue Brief 01–10.
  3. Baabood, A. (2024, February 15). The geopolitics of economic development in the Middle East. Carnegie Middle East Center. https://carnegie-mec.org/2024/02/15/geopolitics-of-economic-development-in-middle-east-pub-91650
  4. Banerjee, S., & Singh, S. (2024). Examining the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as a collaborative infrastructure for transcontinental policymaking: An ICIO-LP analysis. Asia Europe Journal, 22, 481–506. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10308-024-00712-1
  5. Ben, S. O. (2019). Significance of road infrastructure on economic sustainability. American International Journal of Multidisciplinary Scientific Research, 5(4), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.46281/aijmsr.v5i4.405
  6. Bountra, P., Perez, M. O., & Pollack, K. (2023). The India–United States partnership for the global fight against climate change. Development Cooperation Review, 6(4), 12–21.
  7. Bradley Intelligence Report. (2023, October 31). The India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor: Prospects and challenges for United States businesses. https://www.bradley.com/insights/publications/2023/10/the-india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor-prospects-and-challenges-for-us-businesses
  8. Cornwell, A., & Kamdar, B. M. (2024, February 14). India, UAE sign pact on trans-continental trade corridor. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/india-uae-sign-pact-trans-continental-trade-corridor-2024-02-13/
  9. Coşkun, A. (2024, June 9). Kalkınma Yolu Projesi. Yeni Asya. https://www.yeniasya.com.tr/dr-aytekin-coskun/kalkinma-yolu-projesi_597782
  10. Czarnecki, R. (2023, October 3). Inclusion of Türkiye in new India–EU trade route: A necessity. Daily Sabah. https://www.dailysabah.com/opinion/op-ed/inclusion-of-turkiye-in-new-india-eu-trade-route-a-necessity
  11. Das, D. (2024). Revisiting the contours of the evolving Middle Eastern order through the India–Middle East–EU Corridor: Mapping India’s scopes and limitations. Asian Journal of Political Science, 32(1), 35–56. https://doi.org/10.1080/02185377.2024.2322498
  12. Deloitte. (2023). Trade and transit: Evaluating the India–Middle East–Europe economic corridor. European Commission. https://www.deloitte.com/middle-east/en/services/financial-advisory/perspectives/trade-and-transit.html
  13. Dünya Gazetesi. (2024, April 22). Irak, Türkiye, Katar ve BAE'den Kalkınma Yolu Projesi için imza. https://www.dunya.com/gundem/irak-turkiye-katar-ve-baeden-kalkinma-yolu-projesi-icin-imza-haberi-723917
  14. Fidan, H. (2023). Turkish foreign policy at the turn of the ‘Century of Türkiye’: Challenges, vision, objectives, and transformation. Insight Turkey, 25(3), 11–25. https://doi.org/10.25253/99.2023253.1
  15. Flint, C., & Zhu, C. (2019). The geopolitics of connectivity, cooperation, and hegemonic competition: The Belt and Road Initiative. Geoforum, 99, 95–101.
  16. Galistcheva, N. V., & Reshchikova, M. S. (2023). India and China in South Asia: Struggle for political and economic influence in the region. Vestnik of Saint Petersburg University. Asian and African Studies, 15(1), 133–154. https://doi.org/10.21638/spbu13.2023.109
  17. Gaur, P. (2023). The geopolitics of the Middle Corridor: An Indian perspective. International Development Planning Review, 22(2), 1031–1043.
  18. Gönültaş, B. (2023, October 10). 7 countries, EU sign memorandum of understanding for trade corridor linking Europe, Middle East and India. Anadolu Ajansı. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/7-countries-eu-sign-memorandum-of-understanding-for-trade-corridor-linking-europe-middle-east-and-india/2988027
  19. Güneylioğlu, M. (2025, January 31). Reconsidering Turkey’s influence on the Syrian conflict. RUSI. https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/reconsidering-turkeys-influence-syrian-conflict
  20. Imad, E. (2021). Transport infrastructure and regional integration in the Middle East. The Muslim World, 111, 1–139.
  21. Ide, T., & Mello, P. (2022). QCA in international relations: A review of strengths, pitfalls, and empirical applications. International Studies Review, 24(1), viac008. https://doi.org/10.1093/isr/viac008
  22. Karataş, İ. (2023, December 17). Irak’ın Kalkınma Yolu Projesi: Riskler ve avantajlar. Orta Doğu ve Afrika Araştırmacıları Derneği (ORDAF). https://ordaf.org/irakin-kalkinma-yolu-projesi-riskler-ve-avantajlar/
  23. Khan, K. H. (2023). China–India rivalry and the economic corridors. Saudi Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 8(9), 252–258. https://doi.org/10.36348/sjhss.2023.v08i09.003
  24. Khlopov, O. A. (2025). The India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor: The United States interests and opportunities. USA & Canada: Economics, Politics, Culture, 3, 34–45. https://doi.org/10.31857/S2686673025030035
  25. Kaygusuz, B. (2023, September 12). Hindistan'ı Avrupa'ya bağlayacak koridor hakkında bilinenler. Independent Türkçe. https://www.indyturk.com/node/660456/dünya/hindistanı-avrupaya-bağlayacak-koridor-hakkında-bilinenler
  26. Krzymowski, A. (2024). India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor in strategic connection with the Abraham Accords and the Three Seas Initiative. Journal of International Studies, 17(4), 179–194. https://doi.org/10.14254/2071-8330.2024/17-4/11
  27. Mearsheimer, J. J. (2001). The tragedy of great power politics. W. W. Norton.
  28. Mearsheimer, J. J. (1995). A realist reply. International Security, 20, 82–93. https://doi.org/10.2307/2539218
  29. Morgenthau, H. J. (1967). Politics among nations. Knopf.
  30. Nawaz, M. (2025). Strengthening global trade: Analyzing the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). Asian Journal of Engineering, Social and Health, 4(2), 453–463.
  31. Öztürk, B. (2025). The Development Road (DRP): Transforming the nature of Türkiye–Iraq relations. Perceptions, 29(2), 196–213.
  32. Papageorgiou, M., Can, M., & Vieira, A. (2024). China as a threat and balancing behavior in the realm of emerging technologies. Chinese Political Science Review, 9, 441–482. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41111-024-00248-0
  33. Pirinççi, F. (2024, May 31). Sahadan gözlemler: Kalkınma Yolu Irak'ta istikrarı sağlayacak. SETA. https://www.setav.org/kalkinma-yolu-projesi/sahadan-gozlemler-kalkinma-yolu-irakta-istikrari-saglayacak-
  34. Politika Akademisi. (2024, May 24). Kalkınma Yolu Projesi. https://politikaakademisi.org/2024/05/27/kalkinma-yolu-projesi/
  35. Porecha, M., & Haidar, S. (2023, September 17). India–Middle East–EU Corridor to have multiple routes, but hurdles remain. The Hindu. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-middle-east-eu-to-have-multiple-routes-but-hurdles-remain/article67315835.ece
  36. Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye. (2025, May 8). The Development Road Project will significantly contribute to the stability and prosperity of both Iraq and our entire region. https://www.tccb.gov.tr/en/news/542/159800/-the-development-road-project-will-significantly-contribute-to-the-stability-and-prosperity-of-both-iraq-and-our-entire-region-
  37. Rizzi, A. (2024, April 23). The infinite connection: How to make the India–Middle East–Europe economic corridor happen. European Council on Foreign Relations. https://ecfr.eu/publication/the-infinite-connection-how-to-make-the-india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor-happen/
  38. Rizvi, O. (2023, December 12). From India to Europe: What opportunities and challenges will the new corridor bring? Euronews. https://www.euronews.com/business/2023/12/15/from-india-to-europe-economic-corridor-to-offer-new-trade-opportunities
  39. Rudaw. (2024, January 1). IRAK–Kalkınma Yolu Projesi zirvesinin mutabakat deklarasyonu açıklandı. https://www.rudaw.net/turkish/middleeast/iraq/01112024
  40. Sean, M., Soylu, R., & Essa, A. (2023, September 23). India–Middle East Corridor: A new Silk Route or diplomacy by PowerPoint? Middle East Eye. https://www.middleeasteye.net/big-story/india-middle-east-trade-corridor-region-jockeying-influence
  41. Shaker, S. A. (2025). The impact of trade facilitation inequality on bilateral trade: The case of India–Middle East–Europe economic corridor (IMEC). Journal of Shipping and Trade, 10(7), 2–20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41072-025-00192-5
  42. Shinde, V. (2023, November 1). History repeats: A new (old) economic corridor emerges. Lowy Institute. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/history-repeats-new-old-economic-corridor-emerges
  43. Simpson, W. S. (2023, October 31). The India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor: Prospects and challenges for the United States. Bradley Intelligence Report. https://www.bradley.com/insights/publications/2023/10/the-india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor-prospects-and-challenges-for-us-businesses
  44. Subburayan, B. (2023, September 27). IMEC Corridor: How India can counter China’s clout and boost its trade potential. SSRN. https://ssrn.com/abstract=4585145
  45. Suri, N., Ghosh, N., Taneja, K., Patil, S., & Mookherjee, P. (2024). India–Middle East–Europe economic corridor. Observer Research Foundation.
  46. Observer Research Foundation. (2024, April 9). India–Middle East–Europe economic corridor: Towards a new discourse in global connectivity. https://www.orfonline.org/research/india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor-towards-a-new-discourse-in-global-connectivity
  47. Tambi, R. (2023, September 9). India pushes back against China’s economic influence. East Asia Forum. https://eastasiaforum.org/2023/09/09/india-pushes-back-against-chinas-economic-influence/
  48. T.C. Ulaştırma ve Altyapı Bakanlığı. (2024, August 29). Kalkınma Yolu’nda yeni aşama. https://www.uab.gov.tr/haberler/kalkinma-yolu-nda-tarihi-bulusma
  49. Thame, C. (2021). The economic corridors paradigm as extractivism: Four theses for a historical materialist framework. Review of International Studies, 47, 549–569. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0260210521000292
  50. The White House. (2023, September 9). Memorandum of Understanding on the principles of an India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor. https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/09/09/memorandum-of-understanding-on-the-principles-of-an-india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor/
  51. TRT World. (2023, September 20). US, India, Arab nations, EU agree on rail, ports deal. https://www.trtworld.com/business/us-india-arab-nations-eu-agree-on-rail-ports-deal-14898763
  52. VOA News. (2023, September 27). New trade initiative offers India major gains in the Middle East. https://www.voanews.com/a/new-trade-initiative-offers-india-major-gains-in-middle-east/7287689.html
  53. Vohra, A. (2023, December 28). The uncertain future of the India–Middle East–Europe Corridor. Politico. https://www.politico.eu/article/the-uncertain-future-of-the-india-middle-east-europe-corridor/
  54. Wakim, J. (2023). The Indian–Middle Eastern–European Economic Corridor: Setting Israel as the pole of a Middle East order under US hegemony. Contemporary Arab Affairs, 16(4), 383–396. https://doi.org/10.1163/17550920-01604001
  55. Waltz, K. N. (1979). Theory of international politics. McGraw-Hill.
  56. Wolff, P. (2016). China’s ‘Belt and Road’ initiative: Challenges and opportunities. Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE).
  57. Yıldırımçakar, E. (2025). The strategic objectives of the India–Middle East–Europe Corridor (IMEC). Contemporary Arab Affairs, 18(2), 1–19.
  58. Yıldırımçakar, E. (2024a). The “Development Road” is a new strategic initiative by Türkiye and Iraq aimed at connecting Asia and the EU. In M. E. Kıllıoğlu (Ed.), International relations studies. BIDGE Publications. https://doi.org/10.70269/1588222644
  59. Yıldırımçakar, E. (2024b). China’s ambition to balance power within the framework of soft and normative power concepts. Current Research in Social Sciences, 10(2), 194–210.
  60. Yıldırımçakar, E. (2023). The motivations behind China–MENA relations: A historical perspective. TESAM Akademi Dergisi, 10(2), 459–486. https://doi.org/10.30626/tesamakademi.1185976
  61. Yıldız, M. (2025). İsrail dış politikasının temel dinamikleri: Tarihsel süreç üzerinden genel bir değerlendirme. Ahi Evran Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 11(Özel Sayı), 34–53.
  62. Yıldız, M. (2024). Türkiye’s strategic “Development Road” project: Geopolitical impacts and regional opportunities. Anasay, (29), 63–73. https://doi.org/10.33404/anasay.1503772
  63. Yıldız, D. (2023, July 3). Water demand management overview. Hidropolitik Akademi. https://www.hidropolitikakademi.org/uploads/editor/images/Water%20Demand%20Management%20Overview%20-Dursun%20Yıldız%20.pdf
  64. Yıldırır, K. H. (2015). Importance of transport corridors in regional development: The case of TRACECA. Sosyoekonomi, 23(24), 163–182.
  65. Yılmaz, N. (2024). Kalkınma Yolu Projesi’nin Irak ve Ortadoğu jeopolitiğine etkisi. Ulaştırma ve Altyapı, 1, 34–50.
  66. Zhenye, Z. (2023). The impact of regional economic cooperation on states from a global perspective. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media, 26, 94–98. https://doi.org/10.54254/2753-7048/26/20230857