INSTC Friendship Motor Car Rally flagged off to promote economic viability
The India-Russia Friendship / INSTC Friendship Motor Rally 2018 from India to Russia through Iran and Azerbaijan entered the Russian Federation at Dagestan on 07 May 2018 where they were given a warm welcome at the ancient city of Dervant and Makhachakla. The Russian part of the rally started in Makhachkala on 08 May after laying flowers at the monument to the poet Rasul Gamzatov on the eponymous prospectus of the city.
The Rally is being conducted to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between India and Russia. Apart from fostering greater bonds of friendship between India and Russia, the Rally also aims to popularise and spread awareness about the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC), connecting India to Russia via Iran and Azerbaijan.
Motor rally of Russian-Indian friendship is being organised with the support of the Governments of Republic of India and Russian Federation. The first stage of the rally began in February this year and terminated in New Delhi on March 13. The motor rally covered memorial sites and places of bilateral economic cooperation in India, including large industrial enterprises created with the help of Soviet and Russian experts. The second stage of the rally commenced on April 28, and is progressing along the route of the International North South Transport Corridor and will finish in St Petersburg on May 16. The rally that has travelled across India, Iran, and Azerbaijan, will go through the cities of Astrakhan, Volgograd, Voronezh Moscow and St. Petersburg in Russia.
Third stage of the Rally will commence from St Petersburg on 18 May and will terminate at Chahbahar port in Iran on June 03. Various functions/interactions are being organised for the Rally participants by the governments of various Russian regions en-route. Total of 18 SUVs provided by Mahindra and Mahindra along with about 70 participants from India and Russia taking part in the Rally.
During its journey, the Rally will enter Moscow on 12 May 2018 and a Flagging-In Ceremony is being organised by the Embassy of India, Moscow at Sparrow Hill on the same day. On May 13, Mr Pankaj Saran, Ambassador of India to the Russian Federation will host a Reception at the Embassy of India, Moscow and the event will be graced by Mr Ramazan Gadzhimuradovich Abdulatipov, Special Representative of the President of Russian Federation on Humanitarian and Economic Cooperation with the States of the Caspian Region, amongst other dignitaries.
The Civil Administration of various Regions, Customs authorities of the Russian Federation as well as the Russian Automobile Federation and the Rotary Club International have contributed immensely towards the success of this historic Rally.
