First phase of Chabahar port to be inaugurated today!
What's the story
India can rejoice as the first phase of the strategically important Chabahar port in Iran is set to be inaugurated today.
The first phase of the project, known as the Shahid Beheshti port will be inaugurated by President Hassan Rouhani in the presence of Indian representatives.
Chabahar is important for India to build transport and trade links to central Asia.
Here's more about it.
30 Oct 2017
India ships first wheat consignment to Afghanistan via Chabahar
Even as tense US-Iran relations continue to cast a shadow over India's schemes for Chabahar, India shipped its first wheat consignment to Afghanistan via the port on October 30.
This is being touted as a "landmark move" to open up a strategic transit route to central Asia, which bypasses a hostile Pakistan.
The consignment was shipped off from the Kandla port in Gujarat.
Meeting
Swaraj meets with Iranian foreign minister, outlines common goals
Ahead of the inauguration, India's External affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj reportedly met with her Iranian counterpart Javed Zarif in Tehran and reviewed the progress of the Chabahar project.
According to the Iranian foreign ministry, Zarif said the port reinforced India-Iran cooperation.
"It also shows the port's importance in regional development and the routes connecting Central-Asian states to other countries in the world," he added.
About
Why is Chabahar important for India?
Chabahar improves India's connectivity to Afghanistan and Central Asian countries.
Its location close to Gwadar port gives India an immense strategic advantage and enables India to keep a check on Chinese and Pakistani activities in the region.
Chabahar is also an important link within the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) which is being touted as an alternative to China's One Belt One Road.
Details
What are India's plans for Chabahar?
Although India has been pushing for the project for almost a decade, there has been little progress due to bureaucratic delays .
After sanctions were lifted in 2016, India promised $500m for Chabahar development. India's Cabinet recently cleared proposals on Chabahar and sanctioned $150 million credit from Exim Bank.
India, Afghanistan and Iran have also signed a trilateral Agreement on Transport and Transit Corridor
Way forward
What next?
Iran has purportedly asked India to operate/manage the first phase until the second phase is commenced.
As per the memorandum of understanding signed between India and Iran in 2014, Indian companies will equip and operate two berths within Chabahar Phase-I.
Ownership of the equipment will be transferred to Iran at the end of 10 years, unless an extension is agreed upon.