India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor

France24

France, UK to join 10 other countries in banning goods from Israeli West Bank settlements

Introduction: France is preparing to introduce a ban on products from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël ​Barrot said on Tuesday, following a wave of settler violence in recent days that has further undermined prospects for a two-state solution with the Palestinians. France has joined the UK and ten other countries in announcing the trade ban on goods, and some services, from Israeli settlements.URL: https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20260908-france-and-canada-to-join-uk-in-banning-goods-from-israeli-west-bank-settlements

Lemonde

Iceland summons US ambassador after Trump posts map including island as part of US

Introduction: Iceland’s foreign ministry said Tuesday, September 8, it had summoned the US ambassador Billy Long after President Donald Trump posted a map that seemingly showed the island as part of the United States. “Minister for Foreign Affairs, Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir, summoned the US Ambassador yesterday to convey a clear message that the image was wholly inappropriate,” the ministry said in a statement. URL: https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2026/09/08/iceland-summons-us-ambassador-after-trump-posts-map-including-island-as-part-of-us_6757284_4.html

Amba France

September 2026: French presidency of the Security Council

Introduction: France will take over the presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the month of September 2026, following Denmark and preceding Greece in the English alphabetical order that governs the monthly rotation of the fifteen members of the Council. URL: https://in.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/september-2026-french-presidency-security-council

Greek City Times

Greece and US Step Up Defence Talks as Eastern Mediterranean Security Tensions Rise

Introduction: Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias met in Athens with US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Alison Hooker during her visit to Greece. US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle also took part in the meeting. URL: https://greekcitytimes.com/2026/09/03/greece-and-us-step-up-defence-talks-as-eastern-mediterranean-security-tensions-rise/

Rieas

NATO’s Europeans Should Tell Turkey to Stop Arming Sudan

Introduction: On 11 May 2026, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, warned that armed drones had become “by far and away the leading cause of ci-vilian deaths” in Sudan’s war, killing at least 880 civilians between January and April of this year and accounting for more than eighty percent of recorded civilian fatalities in that period.1 The statistic deserves closer attention than it has received in European capitals, because some of the aircraft now driving Sudan’s increasingly lethal drone war originated in the factories. URL: https://www.rieas.gr/researchareas/editorial/5124-nato-s-europeans-should-tell-turkey-to-stop-arming-sudan

Ekathimerini

Europe funded the cable. It must now own the risk

Introduction: Greece’s Great Sea Interconnector is moving back toward implementation after French investor Meridiam took a 66% stake and agreements were reached to reactivate seabed surveys. The cable would eventually help connect Greece, Cyprus, and Israel electrically, giving Athens a stronger role in the energy infrastructure surrounding IMEC’s Eastern Mediterranean segment. URL: https://www.ekathimerini.com/opinion/1314334/europe-funded-the-cable-it-must-now-own-the-risk/

Times of India

Why just Russian oil? US supplies over 50% of India’s LPG imports – what it means

Introduction: When US President Donald Trump announced that India would sttep up energy purchases from America, everyone thought of oi. But, the Middle East conflict has brought forward another energy stream from the US that is fast becoming important for India: Liquified Petroleum Gas or LPG. URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/133926992.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

Sarkaritel

India, Saudi Arabia Discuss Stronger Labour and Manpower Cooperation

Introduction: India and Saudi Arabia discussed strengthening cooperation in labour and manpower sectors during Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh’s meeting with Saudi Human Resources Minister Ahmad bin Sulaiman Alrajhi. The discussions reflected the growing momentum of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership. URL: https://www.sarkaritel.com/india-saudi-arabia-labour-manpower-cooperation/

The Cradle

From Bishkek to New Delhi: Building a new Eurasia

Introduction: Asia is all about face-to-face meetings or “people-to-people exchanges,” as Chinese President Xi Jinping puts it. Politico-economic summits are treated as much for their value in channeling common policies as venues allowing no one to lose face. Consensus – and mutual respect – is essential. Which means, unlike in the collective west, real diplomacy is an absolute priority.  URL: https://thecradle.co/articles/from-bishkek-to-new-delhi-building-a-new-eurasia

Times of Israel

Israir becomes third Israeli carrier with NYC route, just as US airlines make their return

Introduction: Israir will next week become the third Israeli airline to operate nonstop flights between Tel Aviv and New York, bringing more competition into the mix against flagship carrier El Al and the smaller Arkia. URL: https://www.timesofisrael.com/israir-becomes-third-israeli-carrier-with-nyc-route-just-as-us-airlines-make-their-return/

The Cradle

Ankara sets the course, Israel draws the lines in Syria

Introduction: The 23 August meeting between Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Mossad chief Roman Gofman marked the first publicly reported encounter of its kind. It was not, however, the first direct high-level contact between the post-Assad government and Israel. URL: https://thecradle.co/articles/ankara-sets-the-course-israel-draws-the-lines-in-syria

JNS

UK bans Judea and Samaria products, prompting calls for reprisals

Introduction: Britain’s foreign secretary, Ed Miliband, announced on Tuesday that his country would ban products from Judea and Samaria, amid threats by two senior Israeli Cabinet ministers for punitive diplomatic measures against the United Kingdom.  URL: https://www.jns.org/news/israel-news/israeli-ministers-urge-reprisals-as-uk-mulls-sanctions

Decode39

How Rome and Washington are linking industry, technological competition and strategy

Introduction: A US mission led by Undersecretary Alessio Butti aims to turn the growing technological alignment between Rome and Washington into concrete industrial opportunities. Across AI, 6G, quantum and trusted technologies, Italian companies are becoming central to a transatlantic relationship increasingly shaped by innovation, investment and strategic supply chains. URL: https://decode39.com/16415/how-rome-and-washington-are-linking-industry-technological-competition-and-strategy/

Agenzia Nova

Italy and Greece have signed an agreement for the transfer of two FREMM frigates to the Hellenic Navy.

Introduction: Italy and Greece have signed in Rome the Implementation Agreement for the transfer to the Hellenic Navy, through Fincantieri, of two FREMM frigates, Carlo Bergamini and Virginio Fasan, currently in service with the Italian Navy. Fincantieri announced this in a press release. URL: https://www.agenzianova.com/en/news/Italy-and-Greece-signed-an-agreement-for-the-transfer-of-two-FREMM-frigates-to-the-Hellenic-Navy./

ANSA

Eni signs deal with Venezuela to operate giant Junin-5 oilfield

Introduction: Italian energy giant Eni said Wednesday that it has signed an agreement with Venezuela to develop the Junín 5 giant onshore oifield in the Orinoco Belt.  “This agreement represents a new pillar for the revival of the country’s oil and gas sector, at a historic time when energy security, based on abundant resources and diversified supply routes, is vital to global stability,” said ENI CEO Claudio Descalzi. URL: https://www.ansa.it/english/news/business/2026/09/02/eni-signs-deal-with-venezuela-to-operate-giant-junin-5-oilfield_c292b0f5-7df3-4962-b93a-5dc25b8d0d76.html

Amman Free Press

Royal Jordanian expands fleet with 17th A320neo aircraft

Introduction: Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJ) has welcomed its 17th Airbus A320neo Family aircraft, advancing its fleet modernisation programme and plans to expand its network and strengthen operational capabilities. The new aircraft is among 10 aircraft of various types added to the fleet since the start of 2026, bringing RJ’s total fleet to 36 aircraft. URL: https://www.ttnworldwide.com/ArticleMG/485826/royal-jordanian-expands-fleet-with-17th-a320neo-aircraft

JPost

Arab Gas Pipeline revival: Jordan approves strategic natural gas supply route to Lebanon via Syria

Introduction: Plans for Jordan to begin supplying Lebanon with imported natural gas, which will be transported through Syria, were approved by Jordan’s cabinet on Sunday, Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan announced. Under the newly approved arrangement, Jordan will import liquefied natural gas and regasify it using existing infrastructure at the Aqaba Port, before transporting the product to Lebanon through Syria. URL: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-907983

Petra.Gov

Jordan, Saudi Arabia’s HUMAIN Sign Strategic MoU to Advance AI Development and Innovation
Introduction: Saudi AI company HUMAIN and Jordan agreed to cooperate on advanced computing infrastructure, AI models, startups, investment, and skills development. The agreement is IMEC-adjacent rather than a formal corridor project, but it strengthens the digital and commercial ties between two countries located on the original Saudi-Jordan land bridge. URL: https://petra.gov.jo/pma/index.php/en/news/jordan-saudi-arabias-humain-sign-strategic-mou-to-advance-ai-development-and-innovation

Arab News

Saudi Arabia and Serbia expand partnership in energy, technology and trade

RIYADH: Saudi-Serbian relations are moving toward a new phase of economic and diplomatic cooperation, as Riyadh and Belgrade work to expand their partnership in the energy, technology, agriculture and food industries sectors, alongside rapid growth in trade between the two countries. URL: https://www.arabnews.com/business/saudi-arabia-and-serbia-expand-partnership-in-energy-technology-and-trade-3000811

Saudi Gazette

Saudi FM, German minister meet to discuss expanding partnership

BERLIN: Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with German Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy Katherina Reiche in Berlin on Monday. During the meeting, the two ministers reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries, particularly in the economic fields. They explored opportunities to expand partnerships and increase trade and investment by leveraging the potential of both countries, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. URL: https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/664389/saudi-arabia/saudi-fm-german-minister-meet-to-discuss-expanding-partnership

AAWSAT

Saudi PIF Launches Company to Develop Coastal Destination in Al-Khafji

Introduction: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) said it has launched a real estate company to create an integrated tourist and residential destination on the Al-Khafji coastline on the Arabian Gulf. Gulf Coast Development Company will develop the project in partnership with the private sector and local and regional investors, PIF said in a statement on Monday. URL: https://english.aawsat.com/business/5315846-saudi-pif-launches-company-develop-coastal-destination-al-khafji

Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka-Japan kick off work on export-oriented industrial corridor

Introduction: Sri Lanka and Japan have begun work on developing an export-oriented industrial corridor, according to the Board of Investment (BOI), opening a new avenue for bilateral economic cooperation focused on investment and export-led industrial development. URL: https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Sri-Lanka-Japan-kick-off-work-on-export-oriented-industrial-corridor/273-349740

Economy Next

Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port welcomes new gen NYK carrier

Introduction: Hambantota welcomed NYK’s new LNG dual-fuel vehicle carrier Azalea Leader as the port’s role in regional RoRo logistics continues to grow. Port officials say more cargo is being routed through Hambantota toward the Middle East. That rising India-Ocean-to-Gulf logistics role makes the port increasingly relevant to the wider reshaping of Asia-Middle East-Europe supply chains surrounding IMEC. URL: https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-hambantota-port-welcomes-new-gen-nyk-carrier-282825/

SLGuardian

Global  Shipping  Rules Face “Structural Shift”

Introduction: The rules governing global shipping are breaking down, according to 18 of the workld’s leading maritime nations, which have warned that wars and the rapid expansion of a shadow fleet operating beyond western oversight are threatening the forundatinos of flobal trade. URL: https://slguardian.org/global-shipping-rules-face-structural-shift/

Gulf News

South-South trade emerges as key pillar of new global trade system

Dubai: South-South trade worth nearly $7 trillion a year is placing the world’s fastest-growing economies at the heart of the emerging global trading system, AIM Congress 2026 heard. Badr Jafar, Special Envoy of the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs for Business and Philanthropy, said the disruptions to global shipping this year had demonstrated the importance of building alternative trade routes, partnerships and supply chains before they are needed. URL: https://gulfnews.com/business/south-south-trade-emerges-as-key-pillar-of-new-global-trade-system-1.500667235

WAM

Ducab showcases advanced cable solutions at Middle East Energy 2026
Introduction UAE manufacturer Ducab showcased cable systems for power transmission, data centers, AI infrastructure, smart industry, and renewable energy. While not labeled as an IMEC project, this industrial capacity is directly relevant to the corridor’s electricity and digital-network ambitions, particularly as the UAE seeks to serve as the Gulf gateway connecting Indian trade, energy, and data flows to the west. URL: https://www.wam.ae/en/article/c210gp4-ducab-showcases-advanced-cable-solutions-middle

Reuters

Qatari, UAE LNG cargoes transferred via ship-to-ship outside Strait of Hormuz

Introduction: Rare ship-to-ship LNG transfers were conducted outside Hormuz to keep UAE and Qatari cargo moving despite conflict-related disruption. One ADNOC shipment was transferred offshore before continuing to Asia. The workaround highlights exactly why IMEC’s UAE-based overland and multimodal connectivity has strategic appeal: Abu Dhabi and Dubai need trade and energy routes that are less exposed to Hormuz. URL: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/qatari-uae-lng-cargoes-transferred-via-ship-to-ship-outside-strait-hormuz-2026-09-02/