India's Navigation in the Geopolitical of IMEC and Regional Connectivity

Dadan Suryadipura; Sabda Yancipta Wangsa Ghopa

doi:10.31506/jog.v9i4.29872

India's Navigation in the Geopolitical of IMEC and Regional Connectivity

Dadan Suryadipura, Sabda Yancipta Wangsa Ghopa

Abstract

As the trend of fossil fuel use declines, green hydrogen importing and exporting countries have created a new polarity for the development of the green hydrogen industry, one of which is through the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) framework. The project, which aims to build regional connectivity for hydrogen infrastructure from Asia to Europe, has made India play a vital role in responding to various different interests ranging from the G7, the Quad, the Gulf States and the Middle East. Through qualitative research that is described explanatory, this study aims to explain India's role in navigating the dynamics of hydrogen geopolitics to reach the IMEC agreement. The results show that there is a three-way relationship dynamic between energy, international relations, and domestic politics of India with the G7, the Quad, and the Middle East countries which is manifested in the neo-mercantilism frame. This frame is seen as dominant in India's maneuvers that focus on the G2G approach to increase investment, research and technology, and regional stability, especially in the values of territorial integration and political independence.

Keywords

Hydrogen Geopolitics, India, IMEC, Regional Connectivity.

References

Ahmed, K.A.A.W. (2023). MENA Pivot to Asia: Rebalancing Old Relationship with New Friendships. Indian Foreign Affairs Journal, 18(1-2), 33-54. https://doi.org/10.32381/IFAJ.2023.18.1-2.2

Baabood, A. (2024). The Geopolitics of Economic Development in the Middle East. Carnegie Middle East Center.

Basirat, S. (2024, Februari). “Hydrogen unleashed: Opportunities and challenges in the evolving H2-DRI-EAF pathway beyond 2024,” Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. https://ieefa.org/resources/hydrogen-unleashed-opportunities-and-challenges-evolving-h2-dri-eaf-pathway-beyond2024#:~:text=The%20hydrogen%20development%20sector%20is%20also%20grappling%20with,to%20decline%20to%20USD2.5%2Fkg%20to%20USD4.0%2Fkg%20towards%202030.

Blarel, N. (2024). Navigating US-China Rivalry in a Multi-aligned Middle East: Understanding India’s Shifting Strategy Towards the Region. Journal of Asian Security and International Affairs, 1-21. 10.1177/23477970241285200

Bukhari, S.R.H., Iqbal, N., & Khan E. (2024). Global Conflicts and Economic Corridors: Impact of Palestine and Ukraine on Key Trade Routes. Journal of Development and Social Sciences, 5(3), 694-705. https://doi.org/10.47205/jdss.2024(5-III)63

Centre for Trade and Investment Law. (2024). India’s G20 Presidency: Seventh Anniversary Issue. Centre for Trade and Investment Law.

Gili, A., & De Blasio, N. (2024). India - The New Global Green Hydrogen Powerhouse? Harvard Kennedy School: Report March 2024.

IRENA. (2022a, January 15). Hydrogen Economy Hints at New Global Power Dynamics. IRENA

IRENA. (2022b). Geopolitics of The Energy Transformation: The Hydrogen Factor. IRENA.

Kar, S. K., Sinha, A. S. K., Harichandan, S., Bansal, R., & Balathanigaimani, M. S. (2023). Hydrogen economy in India: A status review. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, 12(1), e459.

Khan, R.A. (2024). India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC): Rhetoric, Realities and Implications for Pakistan. Margalla Papers, 1, 75-92.

Leal-Arcas, R. & Pandya, D. (2024). India-EU Relations: geopolitics, energy and trade. In Research Handbook on EU energy law and policy. Edward Elgar Publishing.

Madheswaran, D.K., Krishna, R., Colak, I. et al. (2024). Green hydrogen: Paving the way for India’s decarbonization revolution. Environ Sci Pollut Res. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-34250-5

MFTA. (2023). Japan: hydrogen strategy - November 2023. New Zealand Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Nnabuife, S. G., Oko, E., Kuang, B., Bello, A., Onwualu, A. P., Oyagha, S., & Whidborne, J. (2023). The prospects of hydrogen in achieving net zero emissions by 2050: A critical review. Sustainable Chemistry for Climate Action, 2, 100024.

Pradhan, R. (2020). Energy Geopolitics and Pipeline Diplomacy in Central Asia: India’s Interests and Policy Option. Jadavpur Journal of International Relations, 1-31. 10.1177/0973598420943434

Quitzow, R., Nunez, A., & Marian, A. (2024). Positioning Germany in an international hydrogen economy: A policy review. Energy Strategy Review, 53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2024.101361

Ramachandran, S. (2023, December 14). “India – EU FTA is a win-win for both economies”, Deccan Herald. https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/india-eu-fta-is-a-win-win-for-both-economies-2810694

Rout, S. (2024). India in Emerging World Order: An Asian Centric Approach to “Going Global Strategy”. Research Review International Journal of Multidisciplinary, 9(3), 250-262. 10.31305/rrijm.2024.v09.n03.027

Shahnawaz, M. (2023, September 14). “Strategic crossroads: Exploring the geopolitical dimensions of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, The Financial Express. https://www.financialexpress.com/business/defence-strategic-crossroads-exploring-the-geopolitical-dimensions-of-the-india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor-3243568/

Siddiqa, A. (2023). Corridor Politics: IMEC vs BRI: Another Geopolitical Face-off in U.S.-China Rivalry. Journal of History and Social Sciences, 14(2). https://doi.org/10.46422/jhss.v14i2.290

Singh, S.R. (2023, September 9) “”This is a real big deal,” says Joe Biden, announcing India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor”, Business Line. https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/this-is-a-real-big-deal-says-joe-biden-announcing-india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor/article67289032.ece

Stigant, S. (2023, December 22). “Houthi attacks in the Red Sea disupt global supply chains”, United States Institute of Peace. https://www.usip.org/publications/2023/12/houthi-attacks-red-sea-disrupt-global-supply-chains

Thomas, N. (2023, June 15). ‘Europe Pushes Ahead with Hydrogen Pipelines to meet Energy demands’. The Financial Times. https://www.ft.com/content/69ee794c-cec2-4f8c9ff6-9679aa8f8428.

Van de Graaf, T. & Zelli, F. (2016). Actors, institutions and frames in global energy politics. In The Palgrave handbook of the international political economy of energy (pp. 47–71). London: Palgrave Macmillan.

Van de Graaf, T., & Sovacool, B.K. (2020). Global Energy Politics. Cambridge: Polity Press.

Verma, S. S., & S, A. V. (2024). Understanding the Quad’s Climate Diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific Region. Millennial Asia. https://doi.org/10.1177/09763996241258344

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.31506/jog.v9i4.29872