TEHRAN – Head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (known as RAI) said on Thursday that seven Russian freight trains heading for India have crossed Iran over the past two weeks, IRNA reported.

Salehi said the mentioned Russian freighter traveled about 3,800 kilometers from Moscow to Sarkhes in the northeast Iran border and after crossing the country the cargoes will be shipped to India from Bandar Abas Port.

Salehi also announced the negotiations with Kazakhstan and China for launching transit railway lines, saying: “we expect the lines to be launched as soon as an agreement is reached regarding tariffs; the negotiations are in the final stages.”

Iran and Russia reached an agreement earlier this year for reviving the idle section of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) in Iran for expanding transit ties.

The first Russian freight train arrived at Iran’s Sarakhs railway station in Khorasan-Razavi province on the border with Turkmenistan in early July to officially launch the eastern section of the INSTC.

The Russian train was allowed into the Iranian border in a ceremony attended by First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber along with transport, oil, industry, and agriculture ministers as well as the vice president for science and technology.

Carrying 39 containers, the Russian transit train left Chekhov station on July 6, traveling 3,800 kilometers through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to enter Iran. The cargo will be transported to Bandar Abbas port in southern Iran through a 1600 km rail route to finally be sent to India’s Nhava Sheva Port via sea.

The second Russian transit cargo for India entered Iran also from the northeastern Sarakhs border in early October.

Iran and Russia are also cooperating in the maritime sector to use the Caspian Sea to shorten the transit route from Russia to India.

EF/