YEREVAN (Azatutyun) — Armenia, India and Iran reaffirmed their commitment to a new transport corridor passing through their territories during a second round of trilateral negotiations held in New Delhi on December 12.
A joint statement on the “consultations” said senior diplomats from the three nations discussed “connectivity initiatives, engagement in multilateral fora, and regional developments.”
“They also explored ways to promote trade, tourism and cultural exchanges while strengthening people-to-people ties,” it said.
The parties further “emphasized the need for fostering close cooperation” under the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) project initiated by Russia, Iran and India in 2000. They “highlighted the role of [Iran’s] Chabahar Port in this regard,” added the statement.
India has built and operates two terminals at the Gulf of Oman port to bypass Pakistan in cargo traffic with Iran, Afghanistan and central Asian countries. The Armenian government suggested in 2021 that Indian companies use Chabahar for cargo shipments to not only Armenia but also neighboring Georgia, Russia and even Europe.
Armenia has long maintained a cordial relationship with Iran. It has deepened its ties with India in the last few years, notably through a series of contracts signed with Indian arms manufacturers. The three countries held their first trilateral talks on the mutual transport links in Yerevan in April 2023.
