India takes over operations of port at Chabahar

New Delhi: India on Monday took an important step towards operation and development of the crucial Iranian port of Chabahar with the India Ports Global Limited company taking over operations at the Shaheed Behesti port at Chabahar. This took place on a day when the first meeting of the “follow-up committee for implementation of the trilateral Chabahar Agreement between India, Afghanistan and Iran” was held in Chabahar.

“Positive and constructive discussions were held between the three sides on full operationalisation of the trilateral transit agreement for international transit and transport through the Chabahar Port” and that “they agreed on the routes for the trade and transit corridors between the three countries,” New Delhi said in a statement.

New Delhi further said that “it was agreed to finalise at the earliest the Protocol to harmonise transit, roads, customs, and consular matters” and that “it was agreed to allow cargo movement at Chabahar using TIR Convention provisions”.

It may be recalled that the Chabahar port project will give India sea-land connectivity to Afghanistan and central Asia through Iran.

The Chabahar project has enabled India to bypass Pakistan which had earlier refused to grant New Delhi access for shipment of wheat through the direct land route to Afghanistan from India that passes through Pakistani territory.

It may also be recalled that just last month, India had welcomed the US waivers given to India to exempt it from sanctions regarding its participation in the Chabahar port project in Iran. On the waivers given by the US on Indian participation in the development of the Chabahar Port in Iran as well as construction of an associated railway line, New Delhi had said it appreciated the fact that the “US recognised the role which this port will play to bring strategic and long term benefits to Afghanistan as well as enhance Afghanistan’s connectivity with outside world”.