Uzbekistan launches first container train from India to Kazakhstan — Daryo News

Uzbekistan launches first container train from India to Kazakhstan

Uzbekistan’s Uztemiryulkonteyner has launched the first container train from India to Kazakhstan as part of efforts to expand transport corridors and enhance international cargo transportation, the company’s press service reported.

Photo: Uztemiryulkonteyner partners with TULM and KedentransserviceSource: Uztemiryulkonteyner

The train, consisting of 12 twenty-foot containers, is traveling from the Indian port of Mundra to Sorokovaya station in Kazakhstan via the India-Iran-Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan route. The journey includes 1,585 km by sea and 4,300 km by rail.

The project is a joint effort between Uztemiryulkonteyner, Turkmenistan’s  TULM, and Kazakhstan’s Kedentransservice, three key transport and logistics operators in the region.

In 2024, a similar route was used to transport 20 twenty-foot containers from India to Uzbekistan (Mundra – Sergeli). Following this success, Uztemiryulkonteyner now plans to introduce regular container trains on the India-Central Asia multimodal route.

Mirxamidov Mirziyod, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Uztemiryulkonteyner, emphasized that this initiative will strengthen trade ties and create new opportunities for exporters and importers. The company continues to expand international container transportation, offering innovative logistics solutions for efficient cargo delivery.

The launch of this train marks a step in boosting connectivity between India, South Asia, and Central Asia. By establishing a reliable transport corridor through Iran, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, the route enhances economic cooperation and provides a strategic alternative to existing trade pathways.

Photo: Regular container trains planned on the India-Central Asia corridorSource: Vladimir Norov / LinkedIn

India has been actively expanding its trade footprint in Central Asia through various initiatives:

• Chabahar Port Development: India’s investment in Iran’s Chabahar Port is enhancing its connectivity with Central Asia.
• TAPI Gas Pipeline: Progress continues on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline, designed to transport natural gas from Turkmenistan to India.

Despite these efforts, India’s trade with Central Asia remains relatively low, accounting for less than 0.5% of its total trade, valued at approximately $2bn. This is in stark contrast to China’s trade with the region, which reached around $100bn.

Kazakhstan, as Central Asia’s largest economy, serves as a key hub for India’s trade expansion. This new transport route also complements the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), strengthening India’s trade links with Eurasia.

By facilitating smoother trade flows, the corridor aligns with India’s “Connect Central Asia” policy and Uzbekistan’s vision of becoming a regional transport hub. If sustained and expanded, this initiative could reshape regional trade dynamics, providing India with greater access to Eurasian markets while fostering multilateral economic cooperation.

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