Multilateral Connectivity and Strategic Geopolitics: Russia’s Cooperation with Azerbaijan, Iran, and India in Advancing the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) as a Competitive Alternative to the Suez Canal

Recent global geopolitical turbulence-exemplified by the conflict in Ukraine, the imposition of sanctions on Russia, and the disruption of maritime security in the Red Sea amid the Israel-Hamas conflict-has exposed the vulnerability of established transport routes.High-profile incidents, such as the Ever Given blockage in the Suez Canal, have further highlighted systemic risks to international logistics.Against this backdrop, the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) has emerged as a strategic infrastructure priority for Russia in the twenty-first century.Beyond reinforcing Russia's integration into global transport networks, the project is framed as a key instrument to advance the country's broader objective of promoting a multipolar international order.Over the past decade, Russia has expanded cooperation with Azerbaijan, Iran, and India to operationalize the corridor as a strategic trade route that provides a viable alternative to the Suez Canal, while simultaneously enhancing Eurasian connectivity and trade diversification.The purpose of the study is to clarify the motivations, achievements, and persistent challenges within this multilateral cooperation.Methodologically, the study employs a qualitative approach, based on the analysis of academic literature, governmental reports, and documents issued by international organizations to assess the current state of Russia's engagement with its key partners in the INSTC framework.The results indicate that, although notable progress has been made in fostering trade flows and enhancing regional connectivity, the full-scale development of the INSTC remains constrained by persistent challenges.These include limited financial investment capacity, insufficient infrastructure modernization, and the constraining influence of the broader geopolitical environment.