The Chabahar port project, conceptualized during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee regime and recently signed by India, holds significant commercial and strategic importance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi once quoted poet Ghalib to highlight the project's significance, emphasizing the close ties between India and Iran.
Despite facing delays due to international sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, the project gained momentum after the Iran nuclear deal in 2015. India, Iran, and Afghanistan signed a tripartite agreement to develop a transport-and-trade corridor through the Chabahar port, with India pledging a substantial investment.
The port's location is strategically vital, situated near Iran's border with Pakistan and the Gwadar port, where China has made substantial investments. Chabahar provides India with a crucial transit route to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. It also offers direct access to the Indian Ocean, facilitating trade and connectivity.
Chabahar's deep-water port capabilities make it an essential entry point to the subcontinent, described as the "golden gateway" for Indian Ocean countries to Central Asia. Its location at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route, further enhances its strategic importance.
For India, Chabahar offers several advantages. It provides a seamless transit route for Indian goods to Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan's land route, which has faced delays. Additionally, it opens up access to resource-rich Central Asian countries like Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.
Chabahar also connects India to the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), boosting trade with Russia and other countries. Moreover, it allows India to monitor China's activities in the Persian Gulf, countering its assertive presence in the region through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The project benefits Iran by providing a second port at Chabahar, enhancing its maritime capabilities, and fostering development in the Sistan-Baluchestan region. Furthermore, it strengthens India's presence in the strategic route, complementing its operations at the Haifa port in Israel, operated by the Adani Group.
In conclusion, the Chabahar port project represents more than just a port for India. It embodies a crucial step towards enhancing regional connectivity, trade, and strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region, fostering closer ties between India, Iran, and other neighboring countries.
