State-owned India Ports Global Ltd (IPGL) — formed to develop and run Chabahar port in Iran — will soon sign an agreement with the Iranian Port Authority to start full-fledged operation, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Secretary TK Ramachandran said
What Is Chabahar Port?
- Chabahar Port is located in Sistan and Baluchestan province in the Southeastern part of Iran, on the Gulf of Oman.
- It is the only Iranian port with direct access to the Indian ocean and consists of two separate ports named Shahid Beheshti and Shahid Kalantari.
- Afghanistan, Iran and India signed a tripartite agreement on developing Chabahar port and setting up a trilateral transport and transit corridor in 2016.
- In December 2018, India took over the operations of the Port.
- It was being operated by India Ports Global Private Limited (IPGPL).
- India’s first shipment of wheat to Afghanistan was sent through Chabahar Port.
- Chabahar port is about 72 km away from Gwadar Port built in Pakistan by China.
What Does “Chabahar” Mean?
- Chabahar is made of Persian words Chahar meaning four; and bahar meaning spring.
- It translates as a place that has spring in all the four seasons of the year.
- Chabahar is important for its fishery sector and will act as an important trade center connecting South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East.
The History of Chabahar Port
- The development of the port was first proposed in the year 1973 by the last Shah of Iran.
- The development of this port was delayed due to the Iranian Revolution which occurred in the year 1979.
- The first phase of the port was opened during the Iran-Iraq war in the year 1983 when Iran began shifting maritime trade eastward toward the Pakistani border to reduce dependence on Persian Gulf ports due to it being vulnerable to attacks by the air force of Iraq.
Why Chabahar Port Is Important For India?
- With this, India can bypass Pakistan in transporting goods to Afghanistan.
- It will also boost India’s access to Iran, the key gateway to the International North-South Transport Corridor that has sea, rail and road routes between India, Russia, Iran, Europe and Central Asia.
- It also helps India counter Chinese presence in the Arabian Sea which China is trying to ensure by helping Pakistan develop the Gwadar port.
- With Chabahar port being developed and operated by India, Iran also becomes a military ally to India
- Chabahar could be used in case China decides to flex its navy muscles by stationing ships in Gwadar port to reckon its upper hand in the Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf and Middle East.
- From a diplomatic perspective, Chabahar port could be used as a point from where humanitarian operations could be coordinated.
International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC):
- It is a multi-modal transportation established on 12th September 2000 in St. Petersburg, by Iran, Russia and India for the purpose of promoting transportation cooperation among the Member States.
- The INSTC was expanded to include eleven new members, namely: the Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Armenia, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Tajikistan, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Ukraine, Republic of Belarus, Oman, Syria, Bulgaria (Observer).
- It envisions a 7,200-km-long multi-mode network of ship, rail and road route for transporting freight, aimed at reducing the carriage cost between India and Russia by about 30% and bringing down the transit time from 40 days by more than half.
- This corridor connects India Ocean and the Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea via the Islamic Republic of Iran and then is connected to St. Petersburg and North Europe via the Russian Federation.
Key Ports In India
State | Port | Features |
Tamil Nadu | Chennai | Artificial Port Second busiest port |
Kerala | Kochi | Sited in the Vembanad lake |
Tamil Nadu | Ennore | India’s First corporatized port |
West Bengal | Kolkata | India’s only major Riverine port Situated on Hugli river |
Gujarat | Kandla | Known as Tidal Port |
Karnataka | Mangalore | Deals with the iron ore exports |
Goa | Mormugao | One of India’s earliest modern port |
Maharashtra | Mumbai Port Trust | Largest Natural Port and harbour In India The busiest port in India |
Maharashtra | Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) also known as Nhava Sheva, Navi Mumbai | Largest Artificial Port It is the Largest Container Port in India. |
Odisha | Paradip | Natural Harbor |
Tamil Nadu | Tuticorin | A major port in south India |
Andhra Pradesh | Visakhapatnam | Deepest port of India |
Conclusion: The Strategic Importance of Chabahar Port
Chabahar Port is a crucial project for India, facilitating trade routes to Central Asia and the Middle East while offering strategic benefits to counter geopolitical challenges in the region. As India continues to develop and operate Chabahar Port, it will enhance its regional connectivity, bolster economic growth, and strengthen diplomatic ties with Iran and Afghanistan.
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