Which corridor enhances India's access to Central Asia through Chabahar Port?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The correct answer is option 3 i.e. North-South Transport Corridor.
The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a 7,200 km multi-modal network of ship, rail, and road routes connecting India to Central Asia and Europe. By utilizing Iran's Chabahar Port, India bypasses Pakistan to reach landlocked Central Asian Republics and Russia. This corridor is strategic for India’s "Connect Central Asia" policy, reducing freight travel time by 40% and costs by 30% compared to the traditional Suez Canal route.
Other Options:
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East-West Corridor: A domestic Indian highway project under the Golden Quadrilateral, connecting Silchar in Assam to Porbandar in Gujarat.
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India-Myanmar Highway: Known as the Trilateral Highway, it aims to connect Moreh (India) to Mae Sot (Thailand) via Myanmar to boost connectivity with SE Asia.
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South Asian Maritime Path: A general term for regional sea lanes; it is not a formal, dedicated geopolitical corridor like the INSTC or Chabahar project.