Map9.2-The INSTC

Image Source: https://cdn.rbth.com/web/in-rbth/images/2016-11/top/north-south-transport- corridor.jpg

♤ The 7,200 km International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a multimodal transport network linking Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea via Iran, and onward to northern Europe via St. Petersburg, Russia.

♤ The INSTC is a joint initiative launched by India, Iran, and Russia in September, 2000 to facilitate shipments and logistics. The agreement came into effect in May, 2002 after being ratified by all three signatory states.

♤ This corridor connects India Ocean and Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea via Iran, further connected to St. Petersburg and North European via Russian Federation. From St Petersburg, North Europe is within easy reach via the Russian Federation. The estimated capacity of the corridor is 20-30 million tonnes of goods per year.

♤ The INSTC was expanded to include 10 new members, namely: Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Armenia, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Tajikistan, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Ukraine, Republic of Belarus, Oman, Syria. Bulgaria joined the initiative as an observer as.

♤ The International North South Transportation Corridor (INSTC) connecting Mumbai with St Petersburg and beyond – which has been 17 years in the making – is set to be operationalised in 2018 with the first consignment from India to Russia.