Nagpur, India : Iran has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening transport connectivity among BRICS nations, with Farzaneh Sadegh Malvajerd, Minister of Roads and Urban Development of the Islamic Republic of Iran, participating virtually in the BRICS Transport Ministers’ Meeting hosted by India in Nagpur.
Addressing the ministerial gathering, the Iranian minister expressed appreciation for India’s leadership of the BRICS Transport Working Group and for hosting the meeting. She also voiced Iran’s support for this year’s BRICS theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Collaboration and Sustainability,” describing it as closely aligned with the country’s vision and capabilities in the transport sector.
Highlighting Iran’s strategic geographic position, Sadegh Malvajerd said the country serves as the only nation connecting the three major Eurasian transport corridors. She noted that the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC), the East–West Corridor, and the Persian Gulf–Black Sea Corridor position Iran as a vital gateway linking the markets of Asia, Europe, and the wider Eurasian region.
The minister also referred to the recent attacks on Iran’s transport infrastructure by the United States and Israel, describing them as violations of the fundamental principles of international law. Despite the damage, she said, Iran restored all affected transport infrastructure in the shortest possible time, enabling international transit operations across all major routes to resume swiftly. She stated that the rapid restoration reflected Iran’s commitment to ensuring uninterrupted regional and global transport connectivity.
Emphasising the strategic value of Iran’s transit network, Sadegh Malvajerd said the country’s transport corridors provide Russia with reliable access to the Indian Ocean, connect India with Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Europe, and offer China one of the shortest overland routes to European markets. She added that the integrated transport network presents significant economic and logistical opportunities for all BRICS member countries.
To further strengthen transport cooperation within the grouping, the Iranian minister proposed four key initiatives:
- Recognition of the Rasht–Astara Railway and Chabahar Port as flagship BRICS logistics projects.
- Establishment of a Permanent Corridor Coordination Council to facilitate smoother cargo movement across member countries.
- Joint development of a Green Corridor and enhanced cooperation in sustainable transport initiatives.
- Integration of multi-purpose infrastructure corridors, including energy transmission networks and fibre-optic communication systems, alongside major transport routes.
Concluding her address, Sadegh Malvajerd reaffirmed Iran’s readiness to serve as a secure, reliable, and cost-effective transit bridge for BRICS supply chains across the Eurasian region. She expressed confidence that the deliberations in Nagpur would pave the way for concrete agreements, stronger connectivity, and deeper transport cooperation among BRICS nations.
