The International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is the ship, rail, and road route for moving freight between India, Russia, Iran, Europe and Central Asia. It is a not a new concept. But the current INSTC project was initiated by Russia, India and Iran in September 2000 in St. Petersburg. The agreement was signed on 16th May 2002.
India’s ‘extended neighborhood’ and INSTC
- With the coming of the new millennium, we are seeing a protracted effort from the Central government to connect with our ‘extended neighbourhood’.
- This is obvious from the Look-East-turned-Act-East policy, Link West policy etc.
- One of the significant corner in our extended neighbourhood is the Central Asia, with which we aim to re-connect, with our Connect Central Asia policy, pronounced in 2012.
- Central Asia as a podium has received renewed interests after the swearing-in of the new Government. India attaining full membership in the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO), PM Modi’s historic visit to the five Central Asian countries etc. stand testimony to this.
- INSTC, or International North-South Transport Corridor, receives special mention in India-Central Asia relations.
