Global leaders announced a multinational rail and ports deal linking the Middle East and South Asia on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi. The pact comes at a critical time as US President Joe Biden seeks to counter China’s Belt and Road push on global infrastructure by pitching Washington as an alternative partner and investor for developing countries at the G20 grouping. A memorandum of understanding on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, or IMEC, was signed by the European Union, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the U.S. and other G20 partners. IMEC is envisioned to consist of two separate corridors with an east corridor connecting India to the Arabian Gulf, and a northern corridor connecting the Arabian Gulf with Europe, according to the MOU. Along the railway route, participants intend to lay cable for power and data lines, as well as a pipeline for hydrogen derived from renewable energy for use in power generation. Assistant Professor at Alliance University’s School of Liberal Arts Dr Sayan Dey and Distinguished Political Economist and Professor of Sociology at the University of Johannesburg Patrick Bond join Lerato Mbele for the conversation.