India and Iran signed Long Term Bilateral Contract for operation of terminal at Chabahar Port | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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India and Iran signed Long Term Bilateral Contract for operation of terminal at Chabahar Port

Posted 14 May 2024

2 min read

10 year contract was signed for development of Shahid Beheshti Port Terminal at Chabahar Port.

  • This will enhance regional connectivity; facilitate trade and investment opportunities between India, Iran and Afghanistan.
    • Chabahar is one of the overseas port that will be managed by India. The other is Sittwe port in Myanmar.

About Chabahar Port

  • It is located in Sistan and Baluchestan province on the Makran coast in South-eastern part of Iran, on the Gulf of Oman and outside Strait of Hormuz
  • It is the only deep-sea port in Iran with direct ocean access.
  • There are two terminals in Chabahar Port project i.e. Shahid Beheshti and Shahid Kalantari
  • Port is part of proposed International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). 
    • INSTC is a 7,200-km-long multi-mode transport project linking Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf to Caspian Sea via Iran and onward to northern Europe via Saint Petersburg in Russia.

Significance of Chabahar Port for India

  • Counter- balance Pakistan’s Gwadar Port and China’s Belt and Road Initiative and provide access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
  • Easy access from India’s west coast i.e. Kandla Port (Gujarat) are only 550 Nautical Miles from Chabahar.
  • Shorter route will aid to unlock India’s trade potential with European countries.

Challenges in execution of Chabahar Project

  • US Sanctions on Iran impacts equipment suppliers and partners for completion of project.
  • Proposed China’s involvement in Chabahar’s duty-free zone hampers India’s interests.
  • Tags :
  • Chabahar Port
  • India and Iran
  • INSTC
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