Russia and Iran have signed an agreement to build the Rasht-Astara railway in Iran as a part of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
It will connect Rasht, a coastal city in Iran near the Caspian Sea, with the border city of Astara in Azerbaijan. This railway link will reduce the travel time by four days.
It aims to connect India, Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan and other countries through railway and sea transport. This transcontinental link will facilitate smooth trade and better connectivity between these regions.
According to Russia, this route has the potential to become an important global trade route comparable to the Suez Canal.