The Chabahar Link
Chabahar port is situated chistan province. It is located on the Gulf of Oman, outside the Strait of Hormuz. India and Iran signed an agreement for operating the Chabahar port in Iran for a10- year period. The contract was signed between India’s India Ports Global Ltd. through its subsidiary India Ports Global Chabahar Free Zone (IPGCFZ) and the Port and Maritime Organisation (PMO) of Iran. India has been given the contract to operate the Shahid Beheshti terminal. Shahid Beheshti terminal is one of the two main terminals of the port. It stands at a strategic location for regional trade. India has been granted the operational rights, including container handling equipment and terminal logistics of Shahid Beheshti Terminal at Chabahar port.
India has committed to 85millionUSD for berth improvements and a 250 million USD credit line through Exim Bank for the development of the port. The terminal has five berths for operation, giving rise to significant economic trade. This port focuses on India’s economic and strategic ambition and vision for Central Asia. The port connects India to Iran and Central Asia while circumventing Pakistan’s Gwadarport and counters China’s field of influence.India is a proactive member of the INSTC (International North-South Transport Corridor) with 12 other countries. INSTC is a 7,200 km long multi-mode network dedicated freight corridor that connects Central Asia, Russia, India and Europe.
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The Taliban regime in Afghanistan has shown interest in joining this trade corridor.The Taliban’s Foreign Ministry has “welcomed” the integration of Chabahar Port into the INSTC. Chabahar Port’s inclusion in the INSTC was part of India’s bid, which was supported by five Central Asian nations. India reiterated the need and importance of including Chabahar into INSTC to improve and strengthen connectivity between Eurasia and Central Asia.
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Russia supported and facilitated India’s interest in the Chahbahar port through the INSTC........
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