The Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act clears a key US congressional hurdle, strengthening India–Middle East–Europe connectivity under IMEC. The bipartisan bill boosts energy security, strategic partnerships, and global infrastructure integration linking India, the Middle East, and Europe.
A bipartisan bill placing the Eastern Mediterranean at the heart of United States foreign policy—while strongly aligning with India’s strategic connectivity ambitions—has crossed a major legislative milestone in the US Congress. The Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act has successfully cleared the House Foreign Affairs Committee, signalling growing political momentum behind the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
The bill passed the committee with a decisive 45–2 vote, reflecting rare bipartisan consensus on the strategic importance of the Eastern Mediterranean region. With this approval, the legislation now moves to the next stage of congressional consideration and is positioned for a potential vote by the full House of Representatives in the coming weeks.
Introduced by Congressman Brad Schneider, the legislation is supported by lawmakers from both major US political parties. Proponents argue that the bill strengthens America’s diplomatic, economic, and security engagement in a region increasingly viewed as a critical bridge between India, the Middle East, and Europe.
“The Eastern Mediterranean is emerging as a central hub for energy and infrastructure connecting Europe, the Middle East, and India,” Schneider said while welcoming the committee’s vote. He added that the bill ensures US foreign policy evolves alongside these geopolitical and economic shifts, reinforcing partnerships with key regional allies including Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and Egypt.
Supporters believe the legislation will help solidify the Eastern Mediterranean’s role within IMEC, a long-term strategic initiative announced during the G20 Summit in 2023. IMEC aims to link India to Europe through a network of ports, railways, energy pipelines, and digital infrastructure across the Gulf and the Eastern Mediterranean.
India views IMEC as a transformative corridor that can reshape global trade routes, reduce transit times, and enhance economic integration between Asia and Europe. The committee’s vote is therefore seen as an important diplomatic and strategic endorsement of India’s vision for diversified and resilient connectivity.
Congressman Gus Bilirakis, a co-sponsor of the bill and co-chair of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus, described IMEC as “vital to enhancing energy security, economic integration, and regional cooperation.” He said the legislation promotes diversified energy routes and strengthens global supply chains at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty.
Bilirakis and other lawmakers also emphasised that IMEC offers a “transparent and sustainable alternative” to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. This framing positions the corridor as part of a broader US-led effort to counter opaque financing practices and strengthen rules-based infrastructure development.
Congressman Chris Pappas highlighted the bill’s role in deepening US coordination with trusted allies. He said the legislation would enhance cooperation with Greece, Cyprus, and regional partners on energy, infrastructure, and security initiatives critical to long-term stability.
Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis echoed these sentiments, stating that the bill reinforces America’s strategic partnerships with Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and Egypt. She noted that expanded cooperation under IMEC will bolster energy security, economic connectivity, and long-term regional planning.
Congresswoman Dina Titus underlined the national security implications of the initiative, calling IMEC “crucial to securing American interests abroad.” She said formally recognising the Eastern Mediterranean as a core component of the corridor would strengthen US defence coordination and protect energy supply chains.
The Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act calls for elevating the region’s status within US foreign policy planning. It seeks to institutionalise strategic dialogues with IMEC partners, support cross-border infrastructure and energy interconnector projects, and improve multilateral coordination mechanisms.
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The bill also directs US agencies to study the expansion of existing US–Israel innovation programmes to include additional Eastern Mediterranean partners. It further encourages evaluation of regional security and training frameworks, including Cyprus’s CYCLOPS centre, as part of broader cooperation models.
As global competition over trade routes, energy corridors, and digital infrastructure intensifies, the advancement of the Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act underscores Washington’s growing focus on India-linked connectivity and strategic alignment with key regional allies.
