In the British publication "The Economic Times," a report has been published stating that the issue of establishing transport connections between India and Armenia via Iran will be discussed within the framework of a trilateral meeting.
Political analyst Elkhan Shahinoglu told Medianews.az that attention should be paid to this news: "This is not a new project. It has been discussed for years. The issue is that the existing transport capabilities between Iran and Armenia do not facilitate an increase in cargo transportation. To this list, we should add the severe economic situation in Iran, the absence of a railway between Iran and Armenia, the West's harsh sanctions against Iran, and risks of war.
Nevertheless, discussions among the three countries continue. The foreign ministries of India and Iran have announced that consultations will be held in Tehran. The primary goal of the meetings is to strengthen bilateral relations. The discussions will focus on activating Iran's Chabahar port and the "North-South" international transport corridor. After the India-Iran bilateral meeting, a trilateral dialogue between India-Iran-Armenia will take place. The purpose of this meeting is to establish transport connections between India and Armenia via Iran.
Meanwhile, there was a phone conversation between India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Ali Larijani. The parties discussed trade, security, strengthening regional ties, and the Chabahar port," he said.
Elkhan Shahinoglu noted that the Chabahar port holds strategic importance for both countries: "It is Iran's only major port with access to the Indian Ocean. India wants to gain access to Russian and European markets through this port. Last year, a document on leasing the Chabahar port was signed between India and Iran. According to the agreement, the management of the port was given to India.
In the phone conversation between Ajit Doval and Ali Larijani, the Chabahar port was characterized as playing a leading role in the North-South International Transport Corridor and as a vital link for regional trade and for India's access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
Actually, these statements also apply to Azerbaijan. Because the Chabahar port is also intended for transporting cargo via the North-South transport corridor. Cargo sent from Russia should be transported through Azerbaijan and Iran as transit to the Chabahar port, and from there to the port of Mumbai in India. In the opposite direction, cargo will pass through Iran and Azerbaijan to be delivered to Russia. However, for this, the Rasht-Astara railway must be constructed. Although Russia has stated that it is ready to provide credit for the construction of the railway, construction has not yet begun," he said.
Nailə Qasımova,
Medianews.az
