US President Donald Trump has expressed strong support for the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor and said energy infrastructure in the Middle East should be moved away from routes passing through Iranian checkpoints.

Trump made the remarks during a meeting with leaders from Gulf Cooperation Council countries and other Arab nations on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

He said attacks affecting commercial shipping in the region had underlined the importance of strengthening and diversifying energy routes. Trump also said the Middle East was approaching a point where several long standing challenges could be addressed.

The India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor was announced in 2023 as a major connectivity initiative linking India with the Gulf and European regions. The proposed network includes an eastern route connecting India with the Gulf and a northern route linking the Gulf with Europe.

The corridor is planned to combine railway connections with ship and rail transportation as well as road routes, creating a wider network for the movement of goods and supporting connectivity between the three regions.