In a first, a train carrying India-bound cargo from Russia has reached Iran. The train was flagged off from Chekhov station in Russia on July 6 and travelled 3,800 km through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to enter Iran’s Sarkhas railway station on the border with Turkmenistan. 

The train was allowed into the Iranian border in a ceremony attended by First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber. According to the plans made by the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, in the first phase, 300 containers have been considered for transporting cargo to Russia, and if the demand increases, the number of these containers will increase continuously. 

The train service is part of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) which is a 7,200-km-long transport project for moving goods between India, Iran, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia and Europe.

The first train carrying 39 containers is currently in Sarkhas railway station and will be transported to Bandar Abbas port in southern Iran through a 1600 km rail route. From there it will be sent to India’s Nhava Sheva Port via sea.