Biden, Modi and G20 allies unveil rail and shipping project linking India to Middle East and Europe

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. Not that the details available so far make much sense

This is the most detail I can find:

The project will involve transit by ship between India and Saudi Arabia, followed by a rail link to the UAE and likely to Jordan from where the shipment will move by sea to Turkey and further by rail.

https://theprint.in/diplomacy/connecting-india-middle-east-europe-g20-marks-launch-of-mega-infra-plan-seen-as-counter-to-bri/1753966/

The Saudi Arabian coast (either its Gulf or Red Sea coast) is further from India than the UAE. Jordan's one port is on the Red Sea, so you'd have to take that ship through the Suez Canal (why not just send a ship from India there in the first place?).

But then it says

“Between India and Dubai, it will be a sea link likely through the Kandla and JNPT ports. Traditionally, both Kandla and JNPT ports have had a lot of trade movement with the Dubai port. Among the private ports, Mundra port in Gujarat has a lot of trade movement with Dubai port and can be part of the connectivity link,” said a senior ministry official who did not want to be named.
...
On the other hand, the Dubai port will also likely be the starting point for the rail link being proposed as part of the project, connecting the UAE to Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Israel and Europe, the official said.

Well, that would make more sense (by sea to bypass Pakistan, Iran and Iraq, which aren't going to work, politically). But it's quite different from the first bit. No wonder it says

“Once a formal announcement is made, the finer details of the project will be worked out,” added the official.

Yeah, where the route goes is a "finer detail".