Archive · 8 Oct 2026
EU Backs IMEC to Diversify India-Europe Trade Routes
The European Union supports a planned trade corridor connecting India, the Middle East and Europe.
It could give goods more ways to travel if a major sea route is disrupted.
European Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas said relying on only one route or port can put trade at risk.
He spoke at a maritime conference in New Delhi.
He also said India and Europe could work together to make cleaner fuels for ships.
India could produce fuels such as green ammonia and methanol, while Europe could provide a market, technology and investment.
He said ports, companies and governments need to work together to build green shipping routes.
He also called for stronger maritime security and practical global rules to reduce shipping emissions.
European Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas said trade cannot depend on one route, port or maritime chokepoint.
He backed the planned India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor as a way to diversify India-Europe connectivity.
His remarks came at the Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue 2026 in New Delhi, held October 7–9.
Tzitzikostas said India and Europe could cooperate on sustainable maritime fuels, including green hydrogen derivatives.
He called for action on infrastructure, maritime security, trusted standards and shipping decarbonization.
- Who
- The European Union, represented at the event by European Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas.
- What
- The EU backed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor as a way to diversify trade routes and strengthen maritime cooperation.
- When
- Tzitzikostas spoke on the opening day of the event, held October 7–9, 2026.
- Where
- Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue 2026 in New Delhi.
- Why
- To reduce dependence on individual maritime routes and improve trade resilience amid concerns about shipping disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz.
- Proposed corridor
- India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)
- Event
- Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue 2026
- Event dates
- October 7–9, 2026
- Event location
- New Delhi
- IMEC announcement
- September 9, 2023, during the G20 Summit in New Delhi
- Green fuels mentioned
- Green ammonia and methanol
- Four cooperation pillars
- Sustainable shipping, resilient connectivity, maritime security and healthy oceans