- What is it?: The Ashgabat Agreement is a transit and transport agreement aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and facilitating the efficient movement of goods across Central Asia, the Caucasus, and beyond.
- Signatories:
- The agreement was signed by Turkmenistan, Iran, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Pakistan.
- India joined the Ashgabat Agreement in 2018.
- Purpose
- To promote regional trade and economic cooperation by improving transportation infrastructure and reducing logistical barriers.
- To establish an international transport and transit corridor that links Central Asia with the Persian Gulf and the broader world.
- Facilitate the smooth transit of goods by land, especially between Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Middle East.
Significance for India
- Access to Central Asia: The agreement can offer India a vital route for its trade and energy supplies, bypassing regions that are politically unstable or logistically complex.
- Chabahar Port: India is actively involved in developing the Chabahar Port in Iran, which is a key node in the Ashgabat transport network, helping it improve its connectivity to Central Asia.
- Regional Influence: India, though not a signatory, can play a pivotal role by fostering cooperation between the signatories and offering technological or financial support to improve infrastructure.