PM Modi said the Chabahar Pact is a significant milestone that would link Afghanistan and Central Asia
PM Modi said the Chabahar Pact is a significant milestone that would link Afghanistan and Central Asia
PM Modi said the Chabahar Pact is a significant milestone that would link Afghanistan and Central Asia.
In order to encourage trade and business, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described India's signing of a deal to manage the vital Iranian port of Chabahar as a significant milestone. New Delhi would also endeavor to give connection to landlocked Afghanistan and the Central Asian area.
In a PTI interview, he said that India will seek to advance regional trade, connectivity, and commerce via the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, the International North South Transport Corridor, especially the Chabahar port.
According to Modi, his administration has prioritized Chabahar Port since taking office in 2014. "In 2016, during my visit to Iran, the trilateral agreement between India, Iran as well as Afghanistan was signed, in order to deliver the needed connectivity to Afghanistan."
The port is now being utilized by India to deliver "humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan comprising wheat, pulses, pesticides, and medical supplies" after an Indian corporation took over the operations a few years ago.
"The recent signing of the long-term partnership for the development of Chabahar Port is an essential milestone," he said.
On May 13, India secured a 10-year deal to run the Chabahar port on the Gulf of Oman, giving Indian exports a path to avoid Pakistan and reach landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asia via the International North-South Transport Corridor, a project including roads and rail.
"India is committed to making sure that our initiatives foster trade and business within the area, as well as between the landlocked nation of Afghanistan and the Central Asian region. This is also ingrained in our plan to enhance connectivity, which includes the Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and the International North-South Transport Corridor, according to Modi.
As an alternative to the traditional Suez Canal route, the 7,200 kilometers of sea, rail, and road links that span many nations make up the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which aids in the transportation of products from India to Russia via Iran. It links the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean to the Caspian Sea via Iran, after which via the Russian Federation to St. Petersburg and North Europe.
"In the current globalization period, connection is crucial. Our goal is to establish connection, particularly for landlocked nations," the prime minister said. "I have always found deep interest amongst the leaders of the Central Asian countries in using this port for getting access to the sea as well as connect to India."
The Port & Maritime Organization of Iran and Indian Ports Global Limited (IPGL) struck a long-term deal for the Chabahar port. About USD 120 million will be invested by IPGL, and an additional USD 250 million will be raised in debt.
It took the place of the original 2016 agreement, which had been yearly renewed and covered India's activities at the Shahid Beheshti terminal at Chabahar port.
India utilized the Chabahar port last year to ship 20,000 tons of wheat supplies to Afghanistan. The similar method was used in 2021 to provide Iran with environmentally acceptable herbicides.
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