Introduction

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s recent visit to Iran featured crucial discussions with Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development, aiming to establish a long-term cooperation framework for the strategically vital Chabahar port.

Chabahar Port: A Strategic Gem

Location: Chabahar Port is strategically positioned at the mouth of the Gulf of Oman in Iran.
Deepwater Port: It stands as Iran’s first deepwater port, holding a pivotal position on global oceanic trade routes.
Geographic Positioning: Situated west of Iran’s border with Pakistan, it competes with China’s Gwadar Port, located to the east.
Strategic Importance: Chabahar Port holds immense strategic importance for both Iran and India.
Mitigating Western Sanctions: It allows Iran to mitigate the impact of Western sanctions.
Alternative Trade Route: For India, it offers an alternative trade route, bypassing Pakistan’s restrictions on land access for trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia.

Initiating Ties: India’s engagement with Chabahar dates back to 2002 when discussions commenced between Iranian and Indian officials.
Strategic Cooperation: A roadmap for strategic cooperation was signed during President Khatami’s 2003 visit to India, with Chabahar as a key project.
Counteracting BRI: The project gained prominence for India as it sought alternative trade routes amid China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the development of Gwadar Port in Pakistan.
Access to Central Asia: Chabahar’s significance further escalated with India’s ambitions to access Central Asia and Russia.

Two Distinct Ports: Chabahar Port comprises two distinct ports: Shahid Beheshti and Shahid Kalantari.
Indian Investment: India’s primary investment is directed towards the Shahid Beheshti port.
Trilateral Agreement: In April 2016, India, Iran, and Afghanistan signed a trilateral agreement.
Rapid Development: India’s Shipping Ministry rapidly worked towards developing the port.
Operational Milestones: In December 2017, the first phase of Shahid Beheshti port was inaugurated, facilitating the movement of Indian wheat to Afghanistan.
IPGL’s Role: India Ports Global Limited (IPGL) played a pivotal role in the port’s operations.
Phased Expansion: The Shahid Beheshti port is undergoing development in four phases, ultimately reaching a capacity of 82 million tons per year with 32 jetties.

Geopolitical Hurdles: Geopolitical complexities, particularly Iran’s relationship with the US, have contributed to project delays.
US-Iran Relations: The fluctuating US-Iran relationship has posed challenges, especially after the US withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018.
Sanctions Impact: India faced challenges in finding international suppliers under sanctions.
Afghanistan Dynamics: The situation in Afghanistan also affected India’s relations with Kabul but gradually improved.
Recent Developments: In 2022, India reopened its embassy in Kabul and allocated funds for the Chabahar port project.
Continued Wheat Exports: India plans to send 20,000 metric tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan through the port in 2023.

US-Iran Ties: The pace of Chabahar port development remains tied to US-Iran relations and regional dynamics.
Ongoing Challenges: Challenges include susceptibility to American sanctions, uncertainties in Afghanistan, and compatibility with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Strategic Diplomacy: Active diplomacy, efficient implementation, and operations are vital for overcoming these challenges and maintaining Chabahar’s status as a viable transit hub and a crucial link between Iran and India.