India's Trade Arc: From Mumbai to Marseille, Bypassing China's Influence

• India is strategically building an economic corridor from Mumbai to Marseille, aiming for lower tariffs and improved logistics.
• The recently closed India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) eliminates duties on 90% of Indian goods entering Europe, anchoring the western end of the corridor.
• Formal FTA talks with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have begun, building on existing deals with UAE and Oman to expand access across the Gulf.
• The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), announced at G20, plans multi-modal connectivity to cut transit times and logistics costs by up to 40% and 30% respectively.
• This integrated strategy aims to create a tariff-light, time-efficient trade spine through West Asia, offering an alternative to China-centric routes and the Suez Canal.