Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Reality is that there is a very limited retreat of the vehicles, with the occupation forces providing cover undeer fire up to Salah al-Din Street
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Claims that the Israeli occupation has withdrawn from areas in the neighborhoods of al-Zaytoun, al-Tuffah, and al-Shujaiya are false
Hamas: The two delegations stressed that any negotiations must lead to the achievement of our people's goals and aspirations, foremost among which is ending the war and the complete withdrawal of enemy forces

US, Saudi Arabia, others, to discuss Middle East railway project

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 7 May 2023 12:35
4 Min Read

Sources say White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, who is slated to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, will meet with his Saudi, Emirati, and Indian counterparts on Sunday to discuss the project and other regional concerns.

  • x
  • US, Saudi Arabia, others, to discuss Middle East railway project
    Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and U.S. President Joe Biden meet at Al Salman Palace upon his arrival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, July 15, 2022.(Reuters)

National security advisors from the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and India are expected to meet on Sunday to discuss a possible major joint infrastructure project to connect Gulf and Arab countries via a network of railways that would also be linked to India via shipping lanes from ports in the region, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the plan.

As China's influence in the region rises, the project is one of the primary objectives the White House wants to drive in the Middle East. The region is also a main component of China's Belt and Road Initiative.

According to the two sources, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, who is slated to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, will meet with his Saudi, Emirati, and Indian counterparts on Sunday to discuss the project and other regional concerns.

Read more: West Asia slowly pivots from US: Syria, Saudi Arabia to restore ties

One US official said the project would be one of several issues covered during the visit and a second official said Sullivan will address the condition of the bilateral relationship between Saudi Arabia and the US, regional challenges, and the likelihood of future reconciliation measures between Saudi Arabia and "Israel" with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other Saudi officials.

According to the two individuals, the concept for the new project arose through discussions held over the previous 18 months in another group dubbed I2U2, founded in late 2021 to debate key infrastructure projects in the Middle East, which comprises the US, "Israel", the United Arab Emirates, and India.

'About China from day one'

An Israeli official who was involved in the early talks told Axios, “Nobody said it out loud but it was about China from day one.

Related News

Trump approves Patriot missiles to Ukraine, bills EU for costs

Russia slams US-Denmark military pact as threat to its security

During the I2U2 talks over the last year, "Israel" proposed the concept of linking the area via trains. According to the former Israeli official, "part of the idea was to use India's expertise on such large infrastructure projects.

In recent months, the Biden administration has expanded on the concept of including Saudi Arabia's participation.

Read next: Diplomacy between Saudi Arabia, Iran, could isolate "Israel"

According to the sources, the proposal would entail connecting Arab countries in the Levant and the Gulf with a network of trains that would also connect to India via seaports in the Gulf.

Requests for comment were not returned by the Indian, Emirati, or Saudi embassies in Washington.

Sullivan alluded to this project during his lecture at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy on Thursday. “If you remember nothing else from my speech, remember I2U2, because you will be hearing more about it as we go forward."

The core idea, according to Sullivan, is to connect South Asia, the Middle East, and the United States "in ways that advance our economic technology and diplomacy."

He also stated that a number of initiatives are currently in the works, as well as “some new exciting steps that we’re looking forward to undertaking in the months ahead." Regional integration, according to Sullivan, is a core of the Biden administration's Middle East agenda.

"A more integrated, interconnected Middle East empowers our allies and partners, advances regional peace and prosperity, and reduces the resource demands on the US in this region over the long term without sacrificing our fundamental interests or our involvement in the region," the advisor said.

"Israel" is not yet a member of this project, but might be incorporated in the future if attempts to further restore relations in the area proceed, according to the sources.

  • United States
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Railway Project
  • India
  • UAE
  • US
  • US President Joe Biden
  • Mohammed Bin Salman
  • Middle East
  • Saudi Arabia

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS