The trilateral talks held on Monday in Tehran, the Iranian capital, also addressed discussions on issues like the Armenian intersection peace initiative, but political parties highlighted the strategic position of its role in Iran’s transport activities in increasing Iran’s transport activities.
The meeting is the third of its kind after a previous session held in Yerevan in April 2023 and a December 2024 in New Delhi, the statement said, adding that the representatives have reviewed the progress since these meetings and emphasized the need to expand relations in other areas of communication, trade, culture and mutual interest.
Representatives led by Iran’s Mohammad Reza Barami, India’s Anand Prakash and Armenia’s Anahit Karapetian said they agreed to hold the next trilateral meeting on the day agreed in Armenia next year.
INSTC is an emerging freight transport route connecting Indian Ocean countries to Central Asia, Russia and Europe, and is becoming increasingly popular due to its economic and geopolitical interests.
Iran has introduced major plans to increase activities at INSTC, including large-scale development projects for the only ocean port located in the seas on the Oman coast in the southeastern part of the country, as well as large-scale development projects on roads linking the port with other trade hubs.
India has also contributed to the development project in Chabahar, but statements from Iranian officials show that the country is not satisfied with the pace of India’s investment and equipment supply in the port.
Indian officials cite US sanctions against Iran as a major obstacle to development work at the port.
Armenia proposed a Peace Initiative intersection in 2023 to complement the INSTC and improve the links of the South Caucasus with neighboring Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia.
MNA