Hossein Shahdadi, Deputy Director of Port and Economic
Affairs of Chabahar, represented Iran at the meeting, which also included
senior officials from India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, as
well as ambassadors and diplomats from Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Iran.
Chabahar
potential
The discussions centered on leveraging Chabahar’s strategic
position as a vital trade and transit hub connecting Central Asia, South Asia,
and the Middle East. Participants reviewed the port’s current infrastructure
and operational capacity while addressing key obstacles to trade, including
bureaucratic challenges, logistical inefficiencies, and infrastructure gaps.
As part of the agenda, the officials also proposed measures
to streamline customs processes, enhance multimodal transport connectivity, and
expand investment in Chabahar’s development to unlock its full potential as a
regional trade gateway.
Chabahar
regional role
Chabahar Port, located on Iran’s southeastern coast in the
Gulf of Oman, is Iran’s only oceanic port and holds immense strategic
significance. It provides a shorter and more secure trade route for landlocked
countries such as Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, offering a viable alternative to
traditional trade routes through Pakistan.
India, in particular, has invested heavily in Chabahar as
part of its broader strategy to bypass Pakistan and enhance trade with Central
Asia, Afghanistan, and beyond. The port is seen as a linchpin of India’s
International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal trade route
linking India to Russia via Iran and Central Asia.
Chabahar
Port and India
India has played a significant role in the development of
Chabahar Port, committing substantial financial and technical resources to its
construction and expansion. Under a trilateral agreement signed in 2016 between
Iran, India, and Afghanistan, India has been granted operational control of a
portion of the port. Since then, the country has contributed to improving the
port’s infrastructure, including the construction of new terminals,
installation of modern equipment, and dredging activities to enhance its
cargo-handling capacity.
In recent years, India has shipped essential commodities
such as wheat to Afghanistan through Chabahar and has positioned the port as a
key enabler of humanitarian assistance and economic collaboration. The
development of Chabahar aligns with India’s vision of regional connectivity and
underscores its commitment to promoting economic stability in Afghanistan and Central
Asia.
Future
goals and challenges
The third joint working group meeting also highlighted the
challenges faced in realizing Chabahar’s full potential. These include the need
for sustained investment in rail and road connectivity, enhancing port efficiency,
and addressing geopolitical issues, including US sanctions on Iran, which have
hindered the pace of collaboration in some areas.
Despite these hurdles, all four nations reiterated their
commitment to furthering cooperation on Chabahar and exploring innovative
solutions to promote regional trade and economic integration. The port’s
strategic location and growing role in fostering connectivity ensure it will
remain central to the economic ambitions of the participating nations.
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