India is now looking for an alternative and strong business route against China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). In this direction, his eyes are now on Kazakhstan. The Trans-Castes International Transport Route (TITR) developing under the leadership of Kazakhstan-commonly called the Middle Corridor, can prove to be a possible game-chain for India. This corridor can not only liberate India from its business dependence on China, but can also open new doors of trade with Central Asia and Europe. Through the Middle Corridor, India can find an alternative route that is more flexible and balanced in geographical, strategic and economically.
What is the problem with India with BRI of China?
China’s BRI project was designed to connect Asia, Africa and Europe, but a important part of it, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), is the cause of dispute for India. This corridor passes through Pakistan -occupied Kashmir (POK), which India considers its land. India has already said clearly that it opposed CPEC, because it is against its sovereignty. Apart from this, India does not like BRI’s debt -based policy and China’s heavy interference in it. In such a situation, India is now looking for new and better options and the middle corridor of Kazakhstan is an important step in the same direction.
What is the middle corridor?
The middle corridor i.e. Titr is a business route that connects China, Central Asia, Caspian Sea, Cocusus and Europe, without being more dependent on Russia or China. This route works through rail and sea, about 4,250 km of rail and 500 km of sea route.
It started in 2014 when Russia captured Crimea and after that many countries started looking for alternative avenues. Then in 2017, the Baku-Tibilisi-Cars Railway started, which gave more strength to this route. Now goods from China to Türkiye can reach only 12 days and Europe’s Prague in 18 days.
In 2024, freight from this corridor increased by 62% and a total of 45 lakh tonnes of goods were sent from this route. Container transport jumped 170% and 56,500 Teu (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit) containers were sent. The target of 2025 is to reach 52 lakh tonnes and 70,000 Teu.
Kazakhstan is making strong infrastructure
Kazakhstan is working on a large scale to strengthen this route. By 2025, he will upgrade 13,000 km of roads and 6,100 km railway lines. Along with this, six airports will expand and a new container hub is being built in Aktau, which will have a capacity of 2.4 lakh teu.
Kazakhstan President Qasim-Jolmart Tookayev recently said that his country is now moving towards an economy, which is ready for the future, durable and global level. His government’s focus is on big and visionary goals. The country’s GDP has also increased at a rate of 6% in the first half of 2025, which is the fastest in the last 12 years.
Why is this root special for India?
Most of the foreign trade of India is the way of the sea, especially through the Suez Canal. But recently, due to the attacks and unrest in the Red Sea, the way of the Suez has been in danger. The result is that the cost of ships has increased significantly. According to ICRA, the goods have increased by 122%.
In such a situation, the middle corridor can become a safe and fast option, especially to trade with Europe and Central Asia. This corridor gives India a chance to strengthen its export strategy, and that too without being completely dependent on China or any one way.
How does this root connect with Instc?
India is already part of the International North-South Transport Corridor (Instc), which connects Mumbai to Europe through Iran, Cocks and Russia. This route is about 7,200 km long. The special thing is that the Instc and Middle Corridor (TITR) have the same junctions like Caspian Sea and Azerbaijan.
That is, India can also use TITR in some parts by sending goods to Europe through Instc. Although some work is yet to be done in the Instc, such as the Chabahar-Jahedan Railway in Iran, but India, Iran and Russia are working fast on it. If these two routes work together, then India can find a strong, optional and safe business route.
Many new routes will open for India
If India strengthens its relations with countries like Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Georgia, then its benefit will not be limited to business only. India will also get strengthened in energy, minerals and geopolitical affairs. India does not have to formally involve the middle corridor, only it will be enough to increase the use of this corridor. The more options with India, the less it will have to depend on limited paths like China and the Suez Canal.