2024-04-28 18:28:45
Moscow/Tehran: India’s friendship with Russia and Iran is very old. Moscow is India’s biggest defense ally, while India has been meeting its energy needs with Iran. But these days America and Western countries are keeping an eye on these two friends of India. While America has imposed harsh sanctions against Russia after the war in Ukraine, Iran is also facing the brunt of American sanctions. Due to which doing business with Russia and Iran is a challenge. America and Western countries demonstrate their strength by threatening these sanctions, but it seems that Russia and Iran have found a solution to these sanctions with the help of India. The three friends have together prepared a plan which will now create a direct trade route between them. Russia-Iran and India are working together on an ambitious International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC). After the completion of this corridor, goods can be transported from St. Petersburg in Russia to Mumbai in India in just 10 days. The idea of creating it came due to the Western countries’ sanctions on Russia, which have been strictly enforced after the attack on Ukraine. The Russian economy is under pressure due to sanctions and Moscow is looking for alternative markets for its products. A path that is safe and without any obstacles.
What is INSTC Scheme?
Under the INSTC plan, a 7200 km long corridor is to be built which will connect St. Petersburg of Russia to Mumbai via the port of Southern Iran. Under this, a shipping route has to be constructed which will pass through Europe without leaving its shores. With its construction, the length of the existing route to Russia through the Mediterranean Sea and Suez Canal will also be halved. The corridor will connect Russia to Iran through three routes. Its main route is the Western Caspian Route which passes through Azerbaijan by rail and road. The central route passes through the Caspian Sea via ships and the eastern route passes through the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea.
Impact visible on Western Caspian route
Initial work on this corridor is visible. The four-lane road connecting Azerbaijan’s capital Baku to the Russian border was opened in October last year. According to the Eurasian Times report, Azerbaijan reported on March 12 this year that road freight traffic had increased by 35 percent last year and reached 1.3 tons. Total freight traffic to Azerbaijan is expected to reach 30 million tons per year. For this, Azerbaijan is planning to build a rail and road network crossing the Aras River flowing on the border with Iran.
Western sanctions became a boon
Experts believe that Western sanctions on Russia have proved to be a boon for this corridor. India, Russia and Iran had agreed on this plan for the first time in the year 2000 but this matter remained in abeyance. But recent sanctions have inspired Russia to move in this direction. After the ban in Europe, Russia is looking for a place for its products in the Asian and Middle East markets. On the other hand, Iran is also facing the brunt of sanctions. This is the reason why Tehran showed its interest in this network.
Ukraine attacked Russian military bases with a missile given by America
Houthi attacks in the Red Sea
This corridor is also important for India. Recent attacks by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea have highlighted the insecurity of the route via the Suez Canal. After the Houthi attack, Britain and America had to send their naval ships to this area to provide security to cargo ships. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk told Russian media this year that the North-South Corridor would prove important given what is happening in the Red Sea. Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said on its importance that it is in the interest of the global economy that this corridor should move forward.