TABNAK, Aug, 18: The Indian envoy in a meeting with Iranian Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani in Tehran also referred to India’s concerns of killing civilians, risk of escalated tensions in the region and dangers threatening ships in vital waterways and called for resorting to diplomacy to reduce tensions in West Asia.
He also noted that India’s project to expand Chabahar Port in southern Iran would help facilitate economic ties among countries in South Asia, Central Asia, West Asia and Eurasia.
Shri Rudra Gaurav Shresth expressed hope that strengthening regional ties would also lead to further geopolitical and economic connections between Iran and India.
In May, Iran and India signed a contract for partnership with India Ports Global Ltd (IPGL) in equipping and operating the freight and container terminals of Shahid Beheshti Port in Chabahar.
The signing of this agreement is considered a turning point in bilateral and regional commercial and economic cooperation, as well as facilitating strategic cooperation between Iran and India.
India expects the project will improve its connection with an international north-south transport corridor being developed with Iran and Russia and also improve trade links with Central Asia.
Chabahar port serves as a gateway for Indian goods to reach markets in Afghanistan and Central Asia while bypassing India’s rival and neighbor Pakistan. India sent 20,000 tons of wheat aid to Afghanistan through the Chabahar port last year.
The cooperation between Iran and India on the strategic port dates back to 2003, when New Delhi agreed to develop the port as well as accompanying infrastructure links during the visit by then-President Muhammad Khatami to India. The project has suffered several delays since then and was weighed down by sanctions on Iran.
As Iran's only oceanic port on the Gulf of Oman, Chabahar Port holds great significance for the country both politically and economically. The country has taken serious measures to develop this port in order to improve the country’s maritime trade.
The port consists of Shahid Kalantari and Shahid Beheshti terminals, each of which has five berth facilities. The port is located in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan Province and is about 120 kilometers southwest of Pakistan’s Baluchistan Province, where the China-funded Gwadar port is situated.
