Crossroads of Continents

Book Description Crossroads of Continents The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and Pakistan's Strategic Position in the New Eurasian Order By Dr Naim Tahir Baig provides a comprehensive analysis of one of the most significant geopolitical developments in contemporary South Asia: the emergence of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and its implications for Pakistan's strategic position. In this meticulously researched volume, Dr. Naim Tahir Baig examines how IMEC—announced during the G20 Summit in September 2023—represents a potential reshaping of regional connectivity patterns that have historically positioned Pakistan as a natural geographic bridge between South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. The book places this development in the context of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its flagship project in South Asia, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Drawing on extensive research, diplomatic insights, and economic analysis, Dr. Baig explores how Pakistan can navigate this complex geopolitical landscape, arguing that isolation is not a viable option for a country whose geographic destiny lies in connectivity. The book outlines practical strategies for engaging with IMEC while preserving the strategic relationship with China through CPEC, reforming internal connectivity, exploring alternative corridors, and developing a comprehensive strategic framework that balances security imperatives with economic development needs. This timely work will be invaluable for policymakers, diplomats, scholars, and anyone seeking to understand the evolving dynamics of economic corridors and their profound implications for regional power balances in the emerging Eurasian order. As great power competition intensifies across Asia, Dr. Baig's analysis offers a blueprint for how middle powers like Pakistan can maintain strategic autonomy while leveraging their geographic position for economic development and regional influence.