In News
- The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways visited the Shahid Behestti port at Chabahar in Iran to review the progress of development.
About the Chabahar Port
- Meaning: Chabahar is made of Persian words Chahar meaning four; and bahar meaning spring.
- Chabahar city is also home to Iran’s only deep-seaport with direct access to the ocean.
- Location: Off the Gulf of Oman in Iran’s southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan & is the only Iranian port with direct access to the ocean.
- Consist of two ports: Chabahar Port consists of two separate ports called Shahid Kalantari and Shahid Beheshti.
- Significance: Chabahar is important for its fishery sector and will act as an important trade center connecting South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East.
Significance of Chabahar Port for India
- Gateway to Central Asia and beyond: The port gives access to the energy-rich Persian Gulf nations’ southern coast & Central Asia and India can bypass Pakistan with the Chabahar port becoming functional.
- This is partly solved by INSTC.
- This port will reduce dependency on the Suez Canal and reduce transportation time.
- Trading with Afghanistan: The INSTC allowed India to trade with the outside world via Iran, but India could not do so with Afghanistan (not a member of INSTC) in spite of being a very close neighbor.
- In May 2016, a trilateral agreement was signed between India, Iran and Afghanistan for using Chabahar Port.
- It will facilitate India’s role in Afghanistan’s development.
- Strategic Importance: Due to its location in the Gulf of Oman and at the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz and enables Iran to have direct entry to the Indian Ocean.
- Chabahar Port is also quite near the Gwadar Port of Pakistan being developed by China.
- It will also counter the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
- Help India in strengthening its maritime power in this region.
- Strengthening relations: Can be a success story in the India-Iran relationship. Also, the US has exempted India from Sanctions.
Major Hindrances/ Roadblocks
- China’s dominance: China has been intensifying its political, military and economic ties with Iran and the Arab world, if it gets a foothold over Chabahar, this could shift the balance of power in China’s favour in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
- US Sanction: Although exempted from US sanctions, possibility of its withdrawal in the near future can be a major hindrance for India.
- India stopped oil imports from Iran after the US sanctions waivers expired in May 2019.
- Tilt towards China: With rising US-China tensions, Iran is planning for an agreement that provides “a ground for Iran and China’s participation in basic projects including ‘Belt and Road’ initiative (BRI).
- Bureaucratic Hurdles in India: Like operational hurdles, delays in dispersal of funds, lack of effective communication and diplomatic coordination etc.
Conclusion & Way Ahead
- India should effectively use Chabahar port in Iran to establish trade and transport communications with Central Asian markets.
- Geographical proximity, the need for regional connectivity and economic integration, and common security challenges in Afghanistan and West and Central Asia demand close cooperation between India and Iran.
Source: TH
