A railway line will connect Russia and Iran, up to the Indian Ocean – VP News – ‘no talk’

2023-05-19 00:40:38

IRussian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani met by video conference to finalize a crucial deal: the construction of a 162-kilometer railway section, known as “Rashat-Ashtana“, in the northern part of Iran. This route will create a direct link between Russia and the Persian Gulf, as well as direct access to the Indian Ocean.

Thanks to this agreement, Russia will have the opportunity to strengthen its position as an international power and to expand its economic relations with the countries of the Middle East. Instead, Iran will benefit from a wider tourist presence and greater accessibility to the export of products in international markets.

To implement this project, Russia has already demonstrated its willingness to participate in the construction. This participation will be essential for the execution of the works, since Russia is a country with a great deal of experience in the railway engineering sector.

Pars Today reports that Iranian President Seyyed Ibrahim Raisi has outlined the signing of the Rasht-Astara railway agreement as “not limited to cooperation between Iran and Russia” and, noting that all countries located in the path of the North-South railway corridor would benefit, he added: “The southern corridor will be useful for all countries in the region, because this route from East and South Asia to the Caucasus and Northern Europe will be a manifestation of friendship, rapprochement and trade and economic cooperation between all these countries.”

Pars Today continues: “In turn, the President of Russia, referring to the importance of the Rasht-Astara strategic railway line, said: “This route has created an opportunity for the transformation and diversification of world transport routes and the implementation of a competitive policy to strengthen the capacity of the transport sector”.

Vladimir Putin added: “The North-South transport corridor contributes significantly to guaranteeing the food security of Iran and the countries of the Persian Gulf”.

He also expressed the hope that with the creation of this route, the exchange of food and other products could be established between the countries of the Caspian Basin and the Persian Gulf.

The western route of the North-South Corridor, which includes Russia, the Republic of Azerbaijan and Iran, has a missing rail link between the cities of Rasht and Astara in northern Iran for 162 km, so that if this railway will be completed, virtually all rail communication between St. Petersburg and the Persian Gulf”.

Once completed, Rashat-Ashtana will be one of the largest railway infrastructures in the world, which will help both countries achieve their strategic goals and improve the quality of life of their citizens.