New Delhi, 9 September 2023 (dpa/MIA) - The European Union, the United States and other partners have launched a vast rail and shipping project linking Europe to the Middle East and India, US President Joe Biden said at the G20 summit in New Delhi on Saturday.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the project "historic," adding that the rail connection would speed up trade between the EU and India by 40%.

A corresponding declaration of intent was to be adopted by the US, EU, India, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, the White House had announced earlier on Saturday.

The aim is to "generate economic growth, incentives for new investments and advanced regional integration," US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said.

"We think that the project itself is bold and transformative, but the vision behind the project is equally bold and transformative," he told journalists at the summit.

The news portal Axios had previously reported that this was one of Washington's "key initiatives" aimed at containing China's influence in the Middle East.

With its Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing supports infrastructure projects worldwide and has concluded numerous agreements with almost all Arab states.

Photo: MIA Archive