https://sputniknews.in/20260518/how-could-india-benefit-from-afghanistans-participation-in-instc-10936559.html
How Could India Benefit From Afghanistan's Participation in INSTC?
How Could India Benefit From Afghanistan's Participation in INSTC?
Sputnik India
The International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a multi-modal network that connects India, Iran, Russia, Central Asia and Europe, achieving greater... 18.05.2026, Sputnik India
2026-05-18T20:01+0530
2026-05-18T20:01+0530
2026-05-18T20:01+0530
sputnik opinion
india
afghanistan
pakistan
taliban
kabul
delhi
new delhi
central asian republics (cars)
central asia
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.in/img/07e9/0a/0a/9902834_0:0:2986:1680_1920x0_80_0_0_e63366f311d18161d055ceed867bd088.jpg
Afghanistan has the potential to prove as a vital partner in the INSTC, given that it straddles the key Central Asian republics that are further connected to the Eurasian region, despite being a landlocked country, experts have said.Even if Afghanistan embraces the CPEC, which in the current context of its tensions with Pakistan may look shaky, it will nevertheless be equally important that Afghanistan is on board the INSTC as well, the strategic affairs commentator reckoned.Moreover, Afghanistan could be a vital link for India towards Central Asia and beyond. Given the rich potential of the Central Asian region and its centrality in new-age connectivity discourses, this is not only a key potential for India, but also for the whole idea and spirit behind the INSTC, she stated. Meanwhile, Preeti Khenta, an Associate Fellow at the foreign policy think tank Usanas Foundation, believes that India views Afghanistan's participation in the INSTC as strategically beneficial for regional connectivity, trade diversification and geopolitical outreach.While India generally supports these regional connectivity and economic cooperation initiatives, its support for Afghanistan's active role will also depend on how the security situation advances, political stability and whether this project would help India economically and strategically, the think tanker summed up.
https://sputniknews.in/20250605/chabahar-north-south-corridor-in-focus-as-india-hosts-top-diplomats-from-central-asia-9240844.html
india
afghanistan
pakistan
kabul
delhi
new delhi
central asian republics (cars)
central asia
russia
iran
Sputnik India
feedback.hindi@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
2026
Pawan Atri
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.in/img/07e6/0c/13/139630_147:0:831:684_100x100_80_0_0_8fa2b25903e7787fe6a2698552c167df.png
Pawan Atri
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.in/img/07e6/0c/13/139630_147:0:831:684_100x100_80_0_0_8fa2b25903e7787fe6a2698552c167df.png
News
en_IN
Sputnik India
feedback.hindi@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
Sputnik India
feedback.hindi@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
Pawan Atri
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.in/img/07e6/0c/13/139630_147:0:831:684_100x100_80_0_0_8fa2b25903e7787fe6a2698552c167df.png
india, afghanistan, pakistan, taliban, kabul, delhi, new delhi, central asian republics (cars), central asia, international north-south transport corridor (instc), russia, iran, trade corridor
india, afghanistan, pakistan, taliban, kabul, delhi, new delhi, central asian republics (cars), central asia, international north-south transport corridor (instc), russia, iran, trade corridor
How Could India Benefit From Afghanistan's Participation in INSTC?
The International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a multi-modal network that connects India, Iran, Russia, Central Asia and Europe, achieving greater significance amid tensions in the Gulf, especially the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Afghanistan has the potential to prove as a vital partner in the INSTC, given that it straddles the key Central Asian republics that are further connected to the Eurasian region, despite being a landlocked country, experts have said.
"Through the INSTC and via Iran, which is one of the pioneer countries for this corridor along with India and Russia, Afghanistan can provide the Central Asian region with an opening to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean," Dr Priyanka Singh, an Associate Fellow at the New Delhi-based Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), told Sputnik India.
Even if Afghanistan embraces the CPEC, which in the current context of its tensions with Pakistan may look shaky, it will nevertheless be equally important that Afghanistan is
on board the INSTC as well, the strategic affairs commentator reckoned.
"Afghanistan being a part of INSTC can address some — if not all, dilemmas concerning India-Afghanistan connectivity," Singh underscored.
Moreover, Afghanistan could be a vital link for India towards Central Asia and beyond. Given the rich potential of the Central Asian region and its
centrality in new-age connectivity discourses, this is not only a key potential for India, but also for the whole idea and spirit behind the INSTC, she stated.
Meanwhile, Preeti Khenta, an Associate Fellow at the foreign policy think tank Usanas Foundation, believes that India views Afghanistan's participation in the INSTC as strategically beneficial for regional connectivity, trade diversification and geopolitical outreach.
"Afghanistan's inclusion could also provide India with greater access to Central Asia, which could bypass Pakistan for overland connectivity and it also supports India's investment in the Chabahar port in Iran. It aligns with India's broader 'Connect Central Asia' policy and act as a bridge between Central Asia, South Asia and Eurasia," Khenta stressed in an interview with Sputnik India.
While India generally supports these regional connectivity and economic cooperation initiatives, its support for Afghanistan's active role will also depend on how the security situation advances, political stability and whether this project would help India economically and strategically, the think tanker summed up.
