India, Afghanistan review developments in Chabahar port project

India and Afghanistan reviewed developments relating to the Chabahar port project in Iran, which is strategically important for India as it is eyeing an investment of around Rs 2 lakh crore ($20 billion).

The two countries discussed the latest progress related to the port during a meeting between India’s Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Hekmat Karzai. Mr Karzai was in India to attend the Heart of Asia conference. The meeting was held on April 26.

The Chabahar port is located in Sistan-Balochistan Province on Iran’s southeastern coast. It is strategically significant for India as it will get sea-land access route to Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan. India will also get access to major Afghan cities such as Kabul, Kandahar, Heart and Mazar-e-Sharif once the construction of port is completed.

Why is Chabahar important for India and Afghanistan?

With Afghanistan being a landlocked country it has no access to free waters, and Karachi port in Pakistan is the sole route for Afghanistan through which they can engage in trade with the rest of the world. The Afghan officials have concluded that in cooperation with India, they must go for Iran’s southeastern Chabahar port, which can offer a good substitute for Karachi port.

Pakistan has also been hesitant to provide overland transit to Indian goods passing through its territory. India has pledged $20 billion for the project. For the development of the ‘South-North transit corridor’ and ports, Iran needed foreign investment. It welcomed India’s decision to invest in the development of Chabahar port and road and railway construction projects in southern Iran.

India will also benefit significantly from the Chabahar port as it could also gain access to Central Asian countries that are rich in the energy sector.

Author Profile

India Writes Network: India Writes Network (www.indiawrites.org) is an emerging think tank and a media-publishing company focused on international affairs & the India Story. Centre for Global India Insights is the research arm of India Writes Network. To subscribe to India and the World, write to editor@indiawrites.org. A venture of TGII Media Private Limited, a leading media, publishing and consultancy company, IWN has carved a niche for balanced and exhaustive reporting and analysis of international affairs. Eminent personalities, politicians, diplomats, authors, strategy gurus and news-makers have contributed to India Writes Network, as also “India and the World,” a magazine focused on global affairs.