TEHRAN - Iran has started transiting a first Russian cargo to India through a new route that experts believe will lead to increased trade in the region.
A local railway official in Iran’s northeast said that a Russian convoy of 39 containers had arrived in the Sarakhs border crossing earlier in the day for the purpose of transit to the southern port of Bandar Abbas where it will continue its journey to India’s port of Nhava Sheva.
Other reports said Iran had celebrated the arrival of the cargo in a ceremony held in Tehran where Vice President Muhammad Mokhber authorized the arrival of the cargo into the Iranian territory.
The arrival marks the long-awaited start of transit operation through the eastern flank of the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a development which experts say would lead to a significant increase in regional trade.
The Russian cargo which contains construction materials for delivery to an Indian customer started its journey on June 27 and traveled for 3,800 kilometers through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan before arriving in Iran. Authorities said the cargo will reach Bandar Abbas after a 65-hour, 1,600-kilometer journey on the Iranian railway.
Cargo transit through Iran has increased in recent years thanks to a major expansion in the country’s railway network.
That has given Iran increased economic and political benefits at a time it is facing US sanctions.
Iran’s transportation ministry says it aims to reach a target of 30 million tons of cargo transit per year from a current annual figure of 20 million tons.