LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1085
ANSWERED ON– 08/12/2023
INTERNATIONAL NORTH-SOUTH TRANSPORT CORRIDOR
1085. SHRI SHYAM SINGH YADAV
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-
(a) the details of International North-South Transport Corridor; and
(b) whether it holds any diplomatic, economic and political significance to India and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SMT. MEENAKASHI LEKHI)
(a & b) The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is an important initiative taken by India, Russia and Iran by signing an Inter-Governmental Agreement on 12th September 2000, to enhance trade and transport connectivity among countries along its route.
At present, there are 13 Members of INSTC, namely- India, Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine, Belarus, Oman and Syria. Bulgaria has joined as an Observer State.
The INSTC is a multi-modal, cost and time effective from India to Northern and Western Europe. It has the potential to enhance India’s connectivity with Central Asia and Eurasian Region and vice versa, taking into account the geo-strategic and economic importance of all the involved countries.
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