Introduction:

• The Kanal Istanbul, an under-construction shipping route running parallel to the strategically critical Bosphorus Strait, is gaining prominence as a major divisive issue in Turkey election to be held in 2023.

What is Kanal Istanbul?

• It is a new route through Istanbul connecting the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara, for creating new source of income for the country.

• The planned canal will run parallel to the Bosphorus Strait, a natural waterway that separates Europe and Asia, which for centuries has served as a key outlet for Russian ships entering the Mediterranean Sea.
• Since 1936, passage through the Strait has been governed by the Montreux Convention, a multilateral treaty that allows ships to go across almost free of cost during peacetime, and which tightly restricts the movement of naval vessels.
• It is claimed that the new canal, will be safer and faster to navigate compared to the Bosphorus, making it a more attractive option for commercial ships.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-is-kanal-istanbul-and-why-is-erdogan-so-keen-on-seeing-the-project-through-7465902/

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