India is one of the founding members of the International North- South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal a transportation corridor, which will connect

1. A. India to Central Asia to Europe via Iran
2. B. India to Central Asia via China
3. C. India to South-East Asia through Bangladesh and Myanmar
4. D. India to Europe through Azerbaijan

Answer: A

Explanation

The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a 7,200-km-long multi-modal network of ship, rail, and road routes for moving freight between India, Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia, and Europe. India, Russia, and Iran were the founding members, signing the Inter-Governmental Agreement in 2000. The primary objective of INSTC is to enhance trade and transport connectivity, offering a shorter and more cost-effective alternative to traditional routes. It connects India to Central Asia and Europe, with Iran serving as a crucial transit hub. While Azerbaijan is part of a western branch of INSTC, the most comprehensive description of its connectivity is India to Central Asia and Europe via Iran. Understanding major international transport corridors and their geopolitical significance is important for UPSC Geography and International Relations.