... becomes ever more apparent, positioning the region as a key player in India’s broader geopolitical and economic ambitions.
How is Central Asia Important?
Ivan Shchedrov:
India’s Growing Visibility in Central Asia
The region is crucial for India-Russia connectivity via the INSTC. The assertion in this year’s Modi-Putin summit joint statement to
“deepen cooperation
in building stable and efficient transport corridors,” with a focus on expanding logistics links in INSTC, highlights the crucial role Central Asia would ...
... concrete projects never materialized. One reason was a degree of mistrust in the mid-2000s, triggered by New Delhi’s rapprochement with Washington.
The new era sets different tasks. There is an urgent need to implement trilateral projects (India–Russia–a Central Asian state) in the areas of resource development, renewable energy, and new technologies. Such initiatives would give additional momentum to the INSTC project by strengthening the internal incentives for expanding investment in transport infrastructure. In the absence of meaningful commercial interests, the creation of a Eurasian transport corridor is difficult to achieve. For India, participation ...
... This provides a fertile ground for more than a hundred infrastructure projects in at least seven countries: Russia, Iran, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan [
10
]. There is no surprise, that since the trilateral agreement on the INSTC among Russia, India and Iran came into force in 2002, eleven more countries joined the project [
11
].
Yet, until recently the construction of the INSTC was more declarative than real, with the main reasons for limited efficiency being the cost and complexity ...
... reflects the commitment of both nations to boost mutual trade and foster broader economic cooperation across multiple sectors, including logistics, technology, agriculture, and education.
A Strategic Step Forward
Zamir Ahmed Awan:
The Growing Potential of Russia-Pakistan Trade Relations
This new freight train will bypass Afghanistan and traverse the eastern branch of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), passing through Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Iran. The INSTC, a 7,200-kilometer multi-modal transport network connecting rail, road, and maritime routes, has been touted as a viable alternative to traditional shipping lanes like the Suez Canal....
... necessary conditions for improving trade between two nations. The Joint Feasibility Study Group (JFSG) instituted by India and EAEU authorities painted a similar picture. Both reports emphasized the
success
of the International North-South Trade Corridor (INSTC) and the
creation
of “Green Corridor” between India and Russia to achieve the USD
30 billion
trade goal by 2025. Both countries must
explore
the opportunities to collaborate and lead joint ventures in the Indo-Pacific wherever feasible. The collaboration has to include areas other than defense trade to diversify ...
... different from much longer and costlier Suez Canal that India used earlier to transport goods to Russia. This new route will help connect India with Russia within 16-21 days at competitive freight rates leading to development of trade on the INSTC.
The INSTC is a joint initiative launched by India, Iran, and Russia in September, 2000 to facilitate shipments and logistics. The agreement came into effect in May, 2002 after being ratified by all three signatory states.
The initiative did not receive much favor during the early years. The development was slow ...
