India-Iran-Uzbekistan Trilateral Meeting

The first trilateral meeting at the foreign ministries' level between India, Iran, and Uzbekistan focused on enhancing cooperation to combat extremism and terrorism. The meeting aimed to promote the use of Chabahar Port by Uzbekistan for trading with India.

Key Focus Areas

• Connectivity and Ports:
  • Emphasized expanding and deepening cooperation in connectivity.
  • Highlighted the strategic significance of ports and the International North-South Transit Corridor (INSTC).
• Review of Progress:
  • Reviewed progress on previous decisions made during the third Chabahar Working Group meeting in November 2024 in Mumbai.
• Trade Relations:
  • Examined and emphasized measures to develop trade relations and other areas of mutual interest.

Regional Interest in Chabahar Port

Besides Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan have shown interest in using Chabahar port to boost trade with India and access the Indian Ocean Region.

India’s Strategic Economic Initiatives

• Aiming to establish an early harvest Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Eurasian Economic Union.
• Objective to access Eurasian markets and source goods, including rare earth minerals.