(Adds particulars all through on the talks)

By Steve Holland and Trevor Hunnicutt

WASHINGTON, Sept 7 (Reuters) – The U.S., Saudi Arabia, India and different nations are discussing a potential infrastructure deal that might reconfigure commerce between the Gulf and South Asia, linking Middle Eastern nations by railways and connecting to India by port, based on U.S. officers conscious of the conversations.

The talks, which have additionally included the United Arab Emirates and Europe, might or might not yield a concrete end in time for an announcement on the sidelines of this week’s Group of 20 (G20) leaders assembly, the folks stated.

The conversations have been underway for months however are fluid, one of many folks stated.

U.S. President Joe Biden is on his solution to the G20 convention in New Delhi, India, the place he’s set to fulfill Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and may additionally have talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.

The plans for a sweeping, multi-national ports and rail deal would come at a important time. To counter China’s Belt and Road world infrastructure push, Biden is pitching Washington instead accomplice for and investor in growing nations on the G20, particularly within the Indo-Pacific area.

It additionally comes because the Biden administration seeks a broader diplomatic deal within the Middle East that will have Saudi Arabia acknowledge Israel. The negotiations over a multi-country infrastructure deal had been first reported by Axios.

Beyond the diplomatic implications, officers stated they hope such an infrastructure deal may scale back delivery instances, price, the usage of diesel and make commerce quicker and cheaper. (Reporting by Steve Holland and Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Heather Timmons and Jamie Freed)