Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has emphasized the importance of developing the North-South Corridor (NSC), linking India and Russia, as a priority for Moscow.
The NSC, running through Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, and further down to India, is viewed as an alternative to Western routes for trade. Lavrov highlighted the potential benefits for India and Pakistan, with the corridor providing efficient and reliable transportation of goods from the Baltic Sea to the Persian Gulf.
The NSC, along with other alternatives like the Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC) and the Northern Sea Route (NSR), aims to offer cheaper and faster trade routes, independent of those abusing their position in global trade.
Lavrov mentioned the EMC, under active consideration, connecting ports on India's East and Russia's Far East through the Malacca Strait, South China Sea, and the Sea of Japan.
The NSR, running through the Arctic region, is of interest to India and China, taking advantage of global warming for year-round navigation. While discussing these alternatives, Lavrov dismissed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor led by New Delhi and Washington, suggesting that BRICS countries are leaving the West behind in the changing world order.
The NSC and other routes provide geopolitical and economic alternatives for countries seeking connectivity independent of traditional Western channels.
(With Agency Inputs)
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