Peter Frankopan, a professor of global history in Oxford University and author of The Silk Roads: A New History of the World, states that the proposed India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is a stimulus to an already existing trade network. He suggests that terms like ‘maritime route’ or ‘Silk Roads’ are used to describe exchanges of all kinds and should not be seen as distinct from one another. Frankopan cautions against grandiose announcements and highlights the importance of good governance and a transparent legal system in promoting economic prosperity. He also raises questions about how the IMEC will interact with other regional factors such as Iran’s relations with Gulf countries and the role of Pakistan in the scheme.