Armenia, Iran and India looking to launch trade route - report

PanARMENIAN.Net - A trilateral meeting on the launch of a trade route involving Armenia, Iran and India will take place in the near future, Sputnik Armenia reports citing sources in logistics companies.

The meeting will take place in Iran: representatives of the transport sectors of the three countries will reportedly discuss the infrastructure of the Chabahar port, Armenia’s activity in the port, as well as issues related to the launch of the route.

Earlier, in response to a written request from Sputnik Armenia, the Ministry of Economy reported that the format of Armenia's participation as an operator is currently unknown. The department emphasized that the use of new routes would increase Armenia's trade potential. If confirmed, Yerevan would receive reliable access to India, as well as to promising markets in Southeast Asia.

The route provides for the transportation of goods from the Persian Gulf countries and India to the EU and the EAEU. Cargo from the Indian port of Mumbai can be delivered to the port of Chabahar (southeast Iran), then by land to Armenia (either by road or by rail), then to Georgia and from there to the ports of Bulgaria or Greece, or to Russia (via sea ports or the Upper Lars checkpoint).

The route through Armenia is important for Iran and India, which are seeking to diversify their supply of goods. Maritime logistics are currently complicated. The route through Iran and Armenia will allow India and the Gulf countries to reduce logistics costs by 25%, as well as transportation time - almost in half (from 40 days via the Suez Canal to 18 days). Armenia itself will then become an important transit hub.