NEW DELHI -- A one-day conference on transit route for trade between India, Russia and Central Asian countries through Iran was held here Thursday and was attended by ambassadors of Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan and Indian minister of state for commerce and industry.
Inaugurating the conference, Omar Abdullah, the minister of state for commerce and industry highlighted the economic and political importance of this transit route.
He said, since the Central Asian countries are landlocked Iran can be a very important link between these countries and the outside world. The minister referred to the progress that Iran made in the field of transport and road-building and said, the proposed transit route through Iran is a safe passage for transport of goods from India and other countries of the region to the Central Asia, Russia and onward to European countries.
Omar Abdullah also said that the transport of goods through Iran would not only reduce the expenditure by up to 20 percent but it would also shorten the duration of time up to 15 days.
And this will increase the competitiveness of Indian goods in Central Asia.
He suggested that Indian traders make the maximum use of the opportunities provided by the proposed north-south transit route.
Iranian Ambassador to India Mirmahmood mousavi while addressing the conference looked into history of this route saying, the route, during the ancient time, was used for trade between India, China and Iran with Rome.
The proposed transit route, in addition to its economic benefits, that is reduction of cost and duration, will also increase cooperation between the country and the region, Mousavi added.
Russian Ambassador to India K. M. Kadakin called this project a very important event for Russia, India and Iran and emphasized on its utilization without any further delay.
An Iranian delegation comprising officials from the ministry of transport, managers and chairmen of the land and sea transport companies headed by Behrouz Gharavi, advisor to the transport organization and oil terminals in Iran that are participating in the conference, explained the capabilities that Iran possess in transporting goods from India to Russia and other CIS countries.
They also analyzed, with the help of data, the benefits as well as the problems of transit through Iran to Russia and other CIS countries and vice versa.
India, Iran and Russia recently signed intergovernmental agreement on international transport corridor north-south' in St. Petersburg, Russia.
The corridor that connects India with Central Asia, will expedite the transport of goods on one hand and increase the trade between the countries of the region on the other.
(IRNA)