Kazakhstan and Russia have advanced discussions on the eastern route of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), Azernews reports.
The talks, held in Moscow, involved Kazakhstan’s Minister of Transport, Marat Karabayev, and his Russian counterpart, Roman Starovoyt. The two ministers focused on enhancing the corridor’s capacity and exploring additional avenues for bilateral transport collaboration. This includes boosting railway transport and expanding air communications between the two nations. This is a significant development for Eurasian geopolitics and infrastructure.
The INSTC, a crucial 7,200 km multimodal route, connects St. Petersburg to ports in Iran and India. The route offers a strategic alternative to the traditional sea route through the Suez Canal. By bypassing this congested waterway, the corridor enhances trade efficiency between Europe, the Persian Gulf, and the Indian Ocean regions. The eastern route of the corridor is particularly significant as it traverses Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, linking with the port of Bandar Abbas in Iran. From there, cargo can be shipped to India, fostering deeper trade ties between Central Asia, South Asia, and beyond.
The discussions underscored the growing importance of the corridor’s eastern branch, which relies heavily on rail transport. This in opposition to the road-dependent western branch that runs through Azerbaijan. The emphasis on rail infrastructure not only highlights the strategic priorities of Kazakhstan and Russia but also reflects a broader trend in Eurasian economic integration. Nations want to strengthen land-based trade routes amid shifting global trade dynamics.
The meeting between Karabayev and Starovoyt is part of a broader effort to maintain close contact and deepen cooperation in developing transport infrastructure. This is vital for the economic stability and growth of the region. As Kazakhstan and Russia continue to collaborate on this ambitious project, the INSTC is poised to play a pivotal role in reshaping trade patterns across Eurasia. It will reduce dependency on traditional maritime routes and enhance the geopolitical significance of Central Asia as a critical hub in global logistics.
