India is one of the founding members of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). It is a multimodal transportation corridor, which will connect

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (a) India to Central Asia to Europe via Iran 
Explanation:
· The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a 7,200-kilometer multimodal transportation network that facilitates the movement of freight.
· The corridor aims to connect India, Iran, Central Asia, Russia, and Europe using a combination of sea, rail, and road routes.
· The route starts in Mumbai, travels by sea to Iranian ports (such as Bandar Abbas and Chabahar), and then proceeds overland and via the Caspian Sea to Russia and further into Europe and Central Asia.
· The INSTC offers a significantly shorter and more cost-effective alternative to traditional routes, like the Suez Canal, for trade between these regions. 
Information Booster:
· The INSTC agreement was signed by India, Russia, and Iran in 2000.
· The corridor's route allows India to bypass Pakistan for trade with Central Asian countries, providing strategic and economic advantages.
· The project also aims to integrate with other regional transport initiatives, such as the Ashgabat Agreement.
· Chabahar Port in Iran is an integral part of India's vision for this corridor, providing a crucial maritime link to the route. 
Additional Knowledge: (b) India to Central Asia via China
· The INSTC is designed as an alternative to existing routes, including those that pass through China or the traditional maritime passages controlled by Western countries. This option describes a different trade route. 
(c) India to South-East Asia through Bangladesh and Myanmar
· This option describes India's "Act East Policy" connectivity projects, such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, which connects India to Southeast Asia, not Central Asia and Europe. 
(d) India to Europe through Azerbaijan
· While Azerbaijan is a key component of the INSTC route, particularly connecting Iran to Russia, this option is incomplete. It omits the central role of Iran as the transit country and the connectivity to Central Asian nations.