Tehran, June 9, 2024 (MRUD NEWS)—Igor Levitin, the aide to the President of the Russian Federation, informed of the export of Russian coal to India via Iran's territory in the near future.

In his visit with Kazem Jalali, the ambassador of Iran to Russia, Levitin said: the first wagons carrying coal will be transited to India after passing through the territory of Iran and Bandar Abbas.

Also, in this meeting, the two sides discussed the latest status of cooperation in this sector, especially the construction project of the Rasht-Astara Railway.

In a separate meeting with Oleg Belozyorov, the President of Russian Railways, Iran's ambassador also discussed the expansion of bilateral cooperation, particularly the implementation of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). 

In this meeting, Belozyorov, while emphasizing the promotion of bilateral relations, called for the development of railway cooperation between Iran and Russia to increase freight transport between the two countries.

Referring to the signing of the agreement for the construction of the Rasht-Astara railway, Jalali also considered the implementation of this project important and in line with the interests of Iran, Russia, and the countries of the region.

Previously in February 2024, Iran Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Mehrdad Bazrpash, hosted Igor Levitin, the aide to the President of the Russian Federation, and his delegation in Tehran to discuss the promotion of transit along the INSCT and acceleration of the Rasht-Astara Railway Project which was reached in July 2023.

In 2023, Russia transited 600,000 tons of freights through Iran's territory and the cargo transportation is expected to increase along the INSTC via Iran to 4 million tons per year in 2024, according to The Russian Deputy Minister of Transport.