29 Mar 2024


Sputnik - Several European and Korean firms have exhibited reluctance to continue work in the Iran sector of the corridor, but the partner countries remain undeterred by the US sanctions against Iran and have not only shown their commitment toward the project in words, but in actions as well.




Tehran has announced its intention tosoon hold a ministerial meeting toassess the work onthe 7,200 km International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) connecting India, Iran, Azerbaijan and Russia viaship, rail and road. The meeting is being viewed ashighly significant asit comes againstthe backdrop ofseveral European and Korean firms exhibiting reluctance tocontinue work inthe sanctions-hit Islamic Republic inthe last few months.
"The Islamic Republic ofIran, asone ofthe founders ofthe North-South International Transport Corridor, is planning tohold a meeting ofthe ministers ofthe corridor inconjunction withthe seventh meeting ofthe Coordination Council inTehran inearly October 2018," the Iranian Embassy inNew Delhi announced.




The partner countries ofthe freight corridor have already enhanced engagement inwake ofthe US-led sanctions againstIran, which were re-imposed followingthe pullout ofthe US fromthe Joint Comprehensive Plan ofAction (JCPOA), popularly known asthe Iran nuclear deal.In the last week, India's Minister ofExternal Affairs Sushma Swaraj met leaders ofthree Central Asian countries and reaffirmed New Delhi's commitment towardsthe project.
"The International North-South Transport Corridor [INSTC] is gaining momentum and the member states are working together topopularize the corridor," Swaraj said onAugust 3 inAstana, duringher visit toKazakhstan.



Earlier onJuly 29, Azerbaijan's Minister ofTransport, Communications and High Technologies Ramin Guluzade offered a new rail link toenhance the connectivity inthe region.
"Iran is keen toactivate INSTC withthe help ofAzerbaijan. It has held talks withIndia and Russia inthis regard," Ramin Guluzade said afterthe meeting withhis Iranian counterpart inTehran.


OnJuly 2, Russia and Iran inaugurated a $1.39 billion project financed byRussian Railways toelectrify the 495 km Garmsar-Ince Burun railway line inIran, which stretches acrossTurkmenistan and Kazakhstan, linking Central Asia tothe Persian Gulf and beyond.

The INSTC will provide an alternative totraditional sea routes, which rely heavily onthe Suez Canal, the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas toconnect South Asia toCentral Europe throughRussia.


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