Chabahar Port

10-year contract signed for the development of Shahid Beheshti Port Terminal at Chabahar Port.

About Chabahar Port:

• Chabahar Port is located in Southeastern Iran in the Sistan-Baluchistan province, near the Gulf of Oman.
• It comprises two ports: Shahid Beheshti and Shahid Kalantari.
• It is the only deep-sea port in Iran with direct access to the Indian Ocean.

Strategic Importance

Geopolitical Significance:

• Chabahar Port provides India with a strategic foothold to counter China’s presence at Pakistan’s Gwadar Port.
• It acts as a gateway to Central Asian countries, bypassing Pakistan.
• The port enhances connectivity under the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), linking India to Russia and Europe via Iran.

Economic Importance:

• Chabahar Port facilitates trade between India, Iran, and Afghanistan.
• It increases trade opportunities with Central Asian countries.
• The port has the potential to become a major commercial hub due to its strategic location.

Historical Context and Agreements:

• In May 2016, India signed a tripartite agreement with Iran and Afghanistan to develop the Shahid Beheshti terminal at Chabahar Port.
• The recent 10-year operational agreement replaced the annual pact from 2016.

Development Projects:

• The development of port facilities and rail links at Chabahar Port.
• The construction of a rail line from Chabahar to Zahedan, enhances connectivity with Afghanistan and Central Asia.

Investment in port equipment and infrastructure to bolster operational capacity

Ref: Source