The international North-South transport corridor: Interaction and competition with other international transport corridors

This article analyzes the current status and development prospects of the North-South International Transport Corridor (INSTC) in the context of current geopolitical instability and sanctions pressure. It examines the corridor's role as a key tool for diversifying foreign economic relations between Russia, India, and Iran, as well as its significance for the countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus. The paper describes the INSTC's multimodal structure, which includes three routes, and identifies infrastructure constraints hindering freight traffic growth. Particular attention is paid to the INSTC's competitive positioning relative to the traditional maritime route through the Suez Canal and current initiatives by foreign countries. It concludes that, despite existing barriers, the project has significant potential for transforming the geoeconomic map of Eurasia, strengthening regional connectivity, and creating a logistics architecture for Greater Eurasia independent of Western influence.