US, India, Saudi Arabia, and UAE to discuss joint railway project in Middle East.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met with his Saudi, Emirati, and Indian counterparts to discuss a rail and port network linking the Gulf states and India, without Israel at the table. The idea reportedly arose during meetings of the I2U2 forum, which includes Israel, India, the US, and UAE, though Israel was not part of Sunday’s discussion. The Chinese project also poses a major challenge to India, as its Chinese rival seeks to capture a far greater share of trade flows from Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Europe.