Conference on India-Iran-Turkey railway opens

A multi-nation conference on trans-Asia connectivity has opened in New Delhi to explore the possibility of a rail freight service connecting India with Iran and Turkey.

The two-day event brings together railway and custom officials from Afghanistan, Iran, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, and India along with government officials, policy-makers and experts.

Indian Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Wednesday addressed the conference, highlighting the need for rail connectivity for the development of the region.  

While the event is focused on strengthening cross-border railway transport within South and Southwest Asia, it is complementary to a wider effort to develop an intercontinental route which is believed to transform economic patterns between Asia and Europe.

The railway would link up with the North-South Transport Corridor, which aims to connect Russia, Iran and India.

Both projects could loop up with China’s Belt and Road Initiative which seeks to revive the ancient Silk Road, making each of the connections even more feasible.

The projects are not merely being driven forward by economic dynamics. Geopolitical considerations have provided added momentum.

EA