Latest news with #INSTC
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
India keeps tabs on INSTC, Chabahar Port as Israel-Iran conflict rages
Amidst the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, India is closely monitoring the potential impact on the Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), crucial connectivity projects for accessing Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Russia. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads New Delhi: India is keeping a close watch for any impact on the Chabahar Port and International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) amid escalating conflict between Israel and Iran India sees the two connectivity projects in Iran as its gateways to Afghanistan, Central Asia and Russia. The country has also invested heavily in the port has so far not targeted any port in Iran but there are reports of some hits along the Iranian year, India entered into a 10-year deal with Iran for management of the Chabahar Port by an Indian entity, India Ports Global Ltd . IPGL, which is a joint venture between Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and Kandla Port Trust, oversees Chabahar Port operations in partnership with Iran's Aria Banader. India's support for the Chabahar includes a $85 million investment for berth upgrades and a $150 million Exim Bank line of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan is focussing on Chabahar and exploring to join INSTC as it seeks to reduce dependence on Pakistani ports. Some Central Asian states have also shown interest.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
International North-South Transport Corridor and Chabahar Port : Must-know for UPSC Exam
Take a look at the essential events, concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here's your knowledge nugget for today on International North South Transport Corridor and Chabahar port. (Relevance: Regional connectivity projects are an important part of the UPSC CSE syllabus. INSTC and Chabahar port have been in the news, and UPSC has previously asked questions on these projects; for instance, a question was asked on INSTC in prelims this year, and in prelims 2017, a question was asked on Chabahar port (do check it in the post-read questions); thus, it becomes essential to know about these projects.) The Israel-Iran conflict entered its fourth day on Monday with fresh missile exchanges. The recent escalation in Israel-Iran conflict has triggered serious concern among major stakeholders in the region, including India. The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement urging both nations to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation. Notably, a potential regional conflagration puts India's regional connectivity strategy like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, the International North South Transport Corridor, and the Chabahar port at risk. Trade and commerce, energy imports, and Indian expatriates are other vital concerns for New Delhi. In this context, let's know about the International North South Transport Corridor and Chabahar port. 1. The International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which was initiated by Russia, India, and Iran, is a multi-modal transportation project linking the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea via Iran, and onward to northern Europe via St Petersburg in Russia. 2. This corridor aims to reduce transit times to about 25 days — 20 days fewer than the Suez Canal route — and cut freight costs by 30 per cent. 3. The INSTC envisages the movement of goods from Mumbai to Bandar Abbas in Iran by sea; from Bandar Abbas to Bandar-e-Anzali, an Iranian port on the Caspian Sea, by road; from Bandar-e-Anzali to Astrakhan, a Caspian port in the Russian Federation by ship across the Caspian Sea; and onward to other parts of the Russian Federation and Europe by rail. 1. Chabahar is a deep water port in Iran's Sistan-Baluchistan province. It is the Iranian port that is the closest to India, and is located in the open sea, providing easy and secure access for large cargo ships. The port is also part of the proposed International North-South Transport Corridor. 2. Chabahar is of strategic importance for India. It offers New Delhi an alternative route that bypasses Pakistan, which does not allow India land access for trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia. 3. Modern Chabahar came into being in the 1970s, and Tehran realised the strategic importance of the port during the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s. 4. In 2002, Hassan Rouhani, who was Iran's National Security Advisor under President Syed Mohammad Khatami at the time, held discussions with his Indian counterpart Brajesh Mishra on developing the port, located 72 km west of Pakistan's Gwadar port. 5. In January 2003, President Khatami and then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee signed off on an ambitious roadmap of strategic cooperation. Among the key projects the two countries agreed on was Chabahar, which held the potential to link South Asia with the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Europe. 6. India, Iran, and Afghanistan signed a trilateral agreement in April 2016, after which the Indian Shipping Ministry worked at a rapid pace towards developing the port. 7. The attitude of the Donald Trump administration towards Iran complicated matters after 2017, but South Block appeared determined to stay the course. New Delhi managed to get a waiver from the US for the Chabahar project, citing access to Afghanistan as a reason. 8. Later, in August 2023, Prime Minister Modi met with President Ebrahim Raisi in Johannesburg on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, and discussed the pending long-term contract on Chabahar. The two leaders gave a clear political direction to finalise and sign the long-term contract. 9. Notably, on May 13 last year, India and Iran signed a 10-year contract to operate the strategic Iranian port of Chabahar. The long-term agreement was signed by Indian Ports Global Ltd (IPGL) and the Port & Maritime Organisation of Iran. 10. With the operationalisation of the long-term investment, Chabahar could potentially become an important hub to connect India with the landlocked countries of Central Asia and Afghanistan. However, to better realise its commercial and strategic potential, the development of the port must be integrated with the International North South Transport Corridor. 1. The IMEC is a landmark project announced during the G20 Leaders' event in New Delhi in 2023. It was aimed at stimulating economic development through enhanced connectivity and economic integration between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. 2. It will have two separate corridors, the east corridor connecting India to the Arabian Gulf and the northern corridor connecting the Arabian Gulf to Europe, along with a railway route for supplementing trade exchanges between India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, and Europe. 3. India, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, France, Germany, Italy, the European Union and the United States signed an MoU for its development, linked to the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII). First announced in June 2021 during the G7 (or Group of Seven) summit in the UK, the PGII has been billed as an alternative funding source to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) without directly mentioning it. 4. In addition to the signatories to the MoU, Israel and Greece are two important nodal sites in IMEC who have expressed interest in joining the project. POST READ QUESTIONS (1) What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India? (UPSC CSE 2017) (a) India's trade with African countries will increase enormously. (b) India's relations with oil-producing Arab countries will be strengthened. (c) India will not depend on Pakistan for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia. (d) Pakistan will facilitate and protect the installation of a gas pipeline between Iraq and India. (2) India is one of the founding members of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal transportation corridor, which will connect: (UPSC CSE 2025) (a) India to Central Asia to Europe via Iran (b) India to Central Asia via China (c) India to South-East Asia through Bangladesh and Myanmar (d) India to Europe through Azerbaijan (Sources: What are India's stakes in Iran's Chabahar port?, India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor: Significance and Prospects for India,This Word Means: IMEC) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for May 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Roshni Yadav is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She is an alumna of the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, where she pursued her graduation and post-graduation in Political Science. She has over five years of work experience in ed-tech and media. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. Her interests lie in national and international affairs, governance, economy, and social issues. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
Hindustan Times
07-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
India-Central Asia Dialogue IV: A strategic opportunity
The IV India–Central Asia Dialogue in New Delhi, held on June 6, 2025, may well be remembered as more than just another diplomatic milestone. It represents a broader transformation in India's foreign policy, one that blends counterterrorism resolve with regional integration, historic ties with digital futures, and diplomacy with defense. In short, it marks India's assertion of strategic agency across Eurasia's contested heartland. Speaking at the opening session of the IV India-Central Asia Dialogue, external affairs minister S Jaishankar thanked Central Asian counterparts for their solidarity in condemning the Pahalgam attack and reaffirmed India's intent to deepen 'a partnership defined by shared aspirations, shared opportunities, and common challenges.' That message is not rhetorical. It reflects India's new doctrine of regional presence. With Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that India had established a 'new benchmark' in counter-terrorism policy. In the wake of that operation, the Dialogue reinforces India's intention to convert tactical clarity into strategic connectivity. India's ambitions in Central Asia are not new. But they have never been this consolidated or strategically framed. The dialogue reinforced India's identity as a trusted development partner, one that is investing in connectivity corridors, health infrastructure, digital public goods, and high-impact community development projects. India's approach is scaffolded by the C5+1 framework, which allows it to engage multilaterally with the five republics: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, while also managing bilateral dynamics. The format is fast maturing into a platform for everything from counterterror cooperation to fintech coordination. India's broader objective? India aims to establish itself as a reliable geopolitical competitor in a region dominated by China's Belt and Road Initiative and Russia's military-economic complex. In this crowded field, India isn't trying to outbuild China or out-arm Russia but to compete as an equally strong partner to Central Asia by offering transparent, sustainable, and sovereign-friendly alternatives. The Dialogue also put connectivity back in the spotlight. India recommitted to the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and Chabahar Port, inviting more active participation from Central Asian nations. Kazakhstan's proposal to develop the eastern branch of INSTC was welcomed as a strategic bridge between India and Eurasia. Economic diplomacy gained new dimensions with the promotion of trade in national currencies and the creation of a Joint Working Group on financial connectivity. The goal is not just trade; it's institutional connectivity. Add to that the growing potential for rare earth cooperation, another arena India is stepping into with confidence. The establishment of the India–Central Asia Digital Partnership Forum signals a digital leap forward. With Uzbekistan hosting the first edition, India aims to export elements of India Stack and help build Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) across the region. Unlike China's surveillance-heavy tech model, India's approach emphasises open access, transparency, and interoperability. While security and infrastructure issues dominate headlines, India's Central Asia playbook is quietly being reinforced by soft power. Indian students, tourists, and cultural institutions are increasingly visiting cities like Tashkent and Almaty. The Dialogue acknowledged these people-to-people bonds, expanding youth exchanges and educational ties. However, air connectivity remains a bottleneck. Pakistan's airspace restrictions continue to complicate direct flight routes, making low-cost carriers like IndiGo unviable in the region. Currently, only Uzbekistan Airways and Air Astana offer direct connections, neither of which are affordable or frequent enough to catalyse tourism or business travel. For New Delhi to realise its soft power potential, it must solve this airspace access challenge, either diplomatically or by developing alternative corridors via Iran and the Gulf. What sets Central Asia apart today is its growing regionalism. In contrast to the non-functional SAARC in South Asia, Central Asia is increasingly resolving disputes through diplomacy. This interstate regional cohesion makes it far more receptive to external partnerships, and India must adapt its foreign policy to this new regional logic of Central Asia. This shift adds value to the C5+1 format of India's dialogue with Central Asia. The 4th India-Central Dialogue's focus on health care, sustainable energy, counter-radicalisation, and climate cooperation reflects this shift. India's development experiences, such as UPI for financial inclusion, Ayushman Bharat for health care, and its leadership in climate coalitions like ISA and GBA, are now being actively exported to Central Asian partners. The IV India-Central Asia Dialogue was a pivotal moment in strategic affairs. As global power dynamics transition toward multipolarity, India's strategic role in Central Asia will significantly influence its ambitions throughout Eurasia. The dialogue transcends mere diplomatic formality; it serves as a strategic instrument for transforming India's engagement with a region that has historically been significant to its foreign policy objectives and is increasingly vital. From counterterrorism to connectivity, from Op-Sindoor to digital diplomacy, India is showing it has the will and the tools to redefine its presence in Eurasia. This process is no longer about catching up with China or balancing Russia. It's about anchoring a values-based, development-driven, sovereign-respecting framework of engagement. The next India–Central Asia Summit, slated for later in 2025, will offer a platform to elevate this vision to the leadership level. India has arrived at the Silk Road with a new doctrine and a new direction. The challenge now is to make this new normal last. This article is authored by Kamakshi Wason, global COO, Tillotoma Foundation.
India Gazette
07-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
India, Central Asia push for regional connectivity through INSTC
New Delhi [India], June 6 (ANI): At the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue held in New Delhi on Friday, India and the Foreign Ministers of five Central Asian nations reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation through enhanced connectivity and human resource development through the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the Chabahar Port, aiming to strengthen trade and economic ties while bypassing certain geographic constraints. The meeting, chaired by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, placed particular focus on the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), the strategic utility of the Chabahar Port, and the expanding role of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme. The Ministers emphasized the optimum use of the INSTC to boost linkages between India and Central Asia and welcomed Kazakhstan's initiative to develop the eastern branch of the corridor. India reiterated its support for Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan joining the INSTC framework. The statement stressed that all connectivity initiatives should adhere to principles of transparency, broad participation, local priorities, financial sustainability, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, read the Joint Statement of the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue. The potential of the Chabahar Port as a regional trade hub received strong endorsement. The Ministers appreciated the first meeting of the India-Central Asia Joint Working Group on Chabahar Port held in Mumbai in April 2023. India welcomed the interest of Central Asian nations in using the Shahid Beheshti Terminal to facilitate trade with India and beyond. The sides agreed to continue engagement to develop the region's transit potential through streamlined transit procedures and broader adoption of TIR Carnets between India and Central Asia, added the statement. Recognising the importance of financial and banking linkages in facilitating regional trade and connectivity, the Ministers also underlined the need for deeper financial connectivity. This includes the promotion of digital payment systems, enhanced interbank relations, and trade in national currencies. The statement noted interest in establishing a Joint Working Group to explore options to strengthen banking and financial cooperation. On capacity building, the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme was appreciated by the Central Asian Foreign Ministers for its contributions in areas such as Information Technology and communication skills in English. India expressed readiness to expand the scope of the ITEC programme to align with the growing developmental interests of Central Asian countries, added the statement. The 4th Dialogue reflected the continued evolution of the India-Central Asia partnership into one based on practical collaboration, mutual benefit, and shared commitment to sustainable regional growth. The Ministers thanked India for its hospitality and agreed to hold the next edition of the Dialogue in 2026. (ANI)
India Gazette
07-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
'We stand firm, resolute in our collective fight against terror'
New Delhi [India], June 6 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reaffirmed India's commitment to fighting terrorism, stating that India stands firm and resolute in its collective fight against this threat in the backdrop of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed optimism about strengthening ties with Central Asia, following the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue and posted on X, 'Delighted to meet with the Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. India deeply cherishes its historical ties with the countries of Central Asia. Look forward to working together to further deepen our cooperation in trade, connectivity, energy, fintech, food security and health for mutual progress and prosperity. We stand firm and resolute in our collective fight against terrorism.' India hosted the 4th edition of the India-Central Asia Dialogue on Friday in New Delhi, reaffirming its growing commitment to a comprehensive regional partnership across security, connectivity, economic cooperation, and people-to-people ties. The meeting, chaired by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, saw the participation of Foreign Ministers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, and produced a detailed Joint Statement setting the tone for the next phase of India-Central Asia strategic engagement. The Ministers began by reaffirming the deep civilizational, cultural, and historical linkages between India and Central Asian countries, while underscoring their collective resolve to build a forward-looking, enduring partnership. The Dialogue was praised as a key platform for addressing common challenges, strengthening multifaceted cooperation, and harnessing untapped potential to advance shared interests, including peace, security, and sustainable growth in the region. The Joint Statement recorded satisfaction at the progress made since the first India-Central Asia Summit in January 2022, noting advances across sectors. A key area of focus was enhancing trade and investment, with Ministers acknowledging the current levels and calling for expanded efforts in high-potential areas such as pharmaceuticals, IT, agriculture, energy, textiles, and gems and jewellery. Strengthening financial connectivity through digital payment systems, interbank relations, and trade in national currencies was emphasised, with both sides expressing interest in establishing a Joint Working Group to deepen banking and financial ties. Connectivity featured prominently, with strong endorsement of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). India reiterated its support for the membership of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in INSTC, and Kazakhstan was lauded for its work on developing its eastern corridor. Chabahar Port also received attention, as the Ministers welcomed continued engagement and simplification of goods transit procedures, including greater use of the TIR Carnet system. India welcomed Central Asian interest in the Shahid Beheshti Terminal at Chabahar as a key trade route to India and beyond. The Ministers welcomed the contributions of the India-Central Asia Business Council (ICABC) in fostering business linkages and investment opportunities. Acknowledging India's ITEC Programme, the Central Asian countries appreciated its role in capacity building, particularly in IT and English language training, and India agreed to broaden its scope to cover additional areas of mutual interest. Expanding technology cooperation was a major theme, with both sides agreeing to promote partnerships in science, space, innovation, and digital infrastructure. Central Asian countries noted India Stack's role in digital transformation, and India agreed to assist in developing Digital Public Infrastructure in the region. The Ministers also agreed to launch an India-Central Asia Digital Partnership Forum, with Uzbekistan offering to host the first meeting. In areas of development partnership, the Ministers stressed joint collaboration in healthcare, food and energy security, public health, and digital innovation. The sides committed to deepening cooperation in healthcare infrastructure, medical tourism, traditional medicine, and UHC models, with the possibility of creating a Joint Working Group on health, the press release stated. Mineral exploration also featured in the talks, with renewed focus on rare earth and critical minerals. Building on the first India-Central Asia Rare Earth Forum in 2024, the Ministers called for holding its second edition soon and encouraged delegation exchanges to explore new areas of cooperation. India's recent capacity building initiatives, such as training programmes on Drug Law Enforcement and Countering Terror Financing, were acknowledged as important steps. The Ministers agreed to continue these exchanges under the banner of South-South cooperation and welcomed collaboration with India's Global South Centre of Excellence 'DAKSHIN.' Cultural ties were also emphasised. Noting longstanding civilisational connections, the Ministers agreed to further strengthen cultural, educational, and humanitarian cooperation. Tajikistan offered to host the second meeting of the India-Central Asia Culture Ministers. Indian Cultural Centres were praised for enhancing cultural diplomacy and bilateral understanding. Security issues were addressed with strong emphasis on coordinated efforts to combat terrorism. The Ministers unequivocally condemned the 22 April terrorist attack in Pahalgam, reaffirming their collective stand against terrorism in all forms and calling for accountability of perpetrators, organisers, and sponsors. They stressed that cross-border terrorism, safe havens, terror financing, radical ideology, and cyber misuse must be addressed, and reiterated the urgency of adopting the UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. Full implementation of UNSC resolutions, the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, and FATF standards was also highlighted. In this regard, regular consultations among National Security Councils were supported, with the next round to be held in Kyrgyz Republic. The Joint Statement further noted multilateral synergies. The Ministers welcomed the designation of 2025 as the 'International Year of Peace and Trust' and the upcoming International Forum of Peace and Trust in Ashgabat. They also praised the First High-Level Conference on Glaciers' Preservation held in Dushanbe. They expressed interest in advancing mountain development under the 'Five-Year Action Plan' from the 77th UN General Assembly. The MEA stated in the press release that the Second Global Mountain Summit 'Bishkek+25' in 2027 was acknowledged as an important next step. Ministers expressed strong support for the SCO's role in regional security and people-to-people engagement. They praised the Council of SCO Heads of State meetings hosted in Astana (2024) and India (2023), reaffirming Central Asia's centrality in the SCO and India's active participation. India, in turn, invited Central Asian countries to join key multilateral initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA), Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), as mechanisms for sustainable and inclusive growth. The Central Asian countries reaffirmed their support for India's bid for permanent membership in a reformed and expanded UN Security Council. Afghanistan was also discussed, with shared emphasis on a peaceful, terror-free, and drug-free Afghanistan and commitment to close coordination on related issues. The integration of the Termez logistics hub into the UNHCR global stockpile network and Kazakhstan's initiative to establish a UN SDG Hub in Almaty were welcomed, highlighting regional humanitarian and development efforts. Youth diplomacy was also recognised, with support for continued student exchanges and emphasis on student welfare in both regions, as per the MEA press release. Concluding the Dialogue, the Ministers agreed to deepen cooperation across all shared priorities and prepare for the second India-Central Asia Summit later in 2025. They also agreed to hold the 5th India-Central Asia Dialogue in 2026 and thanked the Indian side for its warm hospitality and productive chairmanship. (ANI)
