In response to Putin's phone call, Raeisi expressed satisfaction with the progress made in bilateral relations and urged for the swift implementation of joint agreements and projects in areas such as transit, transportation, energy exchange, and the completion of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
The INSTC, which spans 162 kilometers along the Caspian Sea coast, serves as a crucial trade route connecting India, Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, and other countries through railways and sea transportation. It has the potential to rival the Suez Canal in terms of global trade.
Raeisi also expressed gratitude for Russia's support in Iran's bid to join the BRICS group, which consists of emerging economies such as Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. This organization, representing a significant portion of the world's population and GDP, plays a crucial role in shaping a multipolar world and fostering bilateral, regional, and international relations between member states like Iran and Russia.
Many experts view BRICS as a viable alternative to the G-7, a political forum led by the United States that includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the UK. BRICS offers a counterbalance to the dominance of the G-7 and provides a platform for emerging economies to have a greater say in global affairs.
During their recent phone call, Putin informed his Iranian counterpart that trade between their countries reached a record high last year. Putin emphasized the importance of the Rasht-Astara railway project, which aims to connect the railway lines of Iran, Azerbaijan, and Russia. He believes that this project will greatly enhance trade between the three nations. The two leaders also discussed regional developments, particularly the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. They stressed the need for dialogue and the avoidance of foreign intervention in resolving the issues concerning this region. Nagorno-Karabakh is a landlocked area in the Caucasus Mountains, located within Azerbaijan's borders. While it is predominantly inhabited by ethnic Armenians, it has historically been recognized as part of Azerbaijan. However, following a separatist movement and subsequent war in 1994, the territory came under Armenian control.
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