India admitted to Ashgabat Agreement as Delhi pushes Eurasian connectivity agenda

NEW DELHI: India has been admitted to Agreement on the Establishment of an International Transport and Transit Corridor between Iran, Oman, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan (Ashgabat Agreement) as Delhi pushes its Eurasian connectivity agreement ahead of the PM's Oman trip and hosting Iranian President -- all in February.

The agreement was signed on 25 April, 2011 (Ashgabat Agreement).

Turkmenistan, as depository State of Ashgabat Agreement, informed India on Thursday that all the four founding members have consented to the Accession of India and that India’s accession to the Agreement will enter into force on 3 February 2018.


Ashgabat Agreement envisages facilitation of transit and transportation of goods between Central Asia and the Persian Gulf. Accession to the Agreement would diversify India’s connectivity options with Central Asia and have a positive influence on India’s trade and commercial ties with the region.

Upon receipt of approval of the Modi Cabinet for India’s accession to the Ashgabat Agreement, India had deposited the Instrument of Accession with Turkmenistan in April 2016. This agreement will complement India's presence in Chabahar Port, INSTC as well as future accession to Eurasian Economic Union.