Tehran and Delhi have agreed to accelerate the development of an important Iranian port, India’s foreign minister said during a visit to the sanctions-hit Islamic republic on Monday.
Chabahar port — being jointly developed by India, Iran and Afghanistan — is on the Indian Ocean about 100 kilometres (62 miles) west of the Pakistan border. However, Chabahar is not in the Indian occupied region and not under the security of the Indian navy. The Pakistani Naval Forces, on the other hand, will be able to keep a strict check on all vessels, high seas and adjacent international waters.
Moreover, development has stalled, despite waivers to sanctions that the United States began reimposing last year after withdrawing from a landmark 2015 nuclear deal with Iran.
India stopped buying Iranian oil after the US abolished waivers for some countries in May, in a move meant to wipe out the Islamic republic’s main source of revenue
“Just concluded a very productive #IndiaIran Joint Commission Meeting,” Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar tweeted.
“Reviewed the entire gamut of our cooperation. Agreed on accelerating our Chabahar project,” he added as he wound up a two-day visit to the Iranian capital.
#India, #Iran satisfied with progress of #Chabahar Port https://t.co/PvQS8jHnY2
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) December 24, 2019
Washington withdrew from the nuclear accord and reimposed sanctions on Tehran as part of a campaign of “maximum pressure” aimed at reducing its arch-enemy’s regional role and missile programme.
The rare exemptions from the sanctions are due mainly to the pivotal role of the port, and a planned railway line, in breaking landlocked Afghanistan’s dependence on Pakistan for trade.
Railway from Khaf in Iran to Herat in Afghanistan will become operational in three weeks.#Chabahar_Port 👍 X #Gwaddar_Port 👎 https://t.co/NTa9Ds7nAn
— Ajay Kondekar (@ajay_kondekar) July 21, 2017
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said Monday in a joint news conference with Jaishankar that the project would boost trade in the region.
Read more: Chabahar Port: The end of Gwadar?
“Completing the Chabahar-Zahedan railway and connecting it to Iran’s national railway can elevate the position of Chabahar port, revolutionise regional commerce and help transport goods on a cheaper and shorter route,” he said.
Rouhani said maintaining regional security was an important topic for Iran and India.
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said Monday in a joint news conference with Jaishankar that the project would boost trade in the region
“In the current situation where America stands against nations with unilateral sanctions, we have to try to continue bilateral cooperation.
IRAN-INDIA RELATIONS #India and #Iran have agreed to speed up work on the strategic #Chabahar Project pic.twitter.com/sVioN2hUU7
— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) December 23, 2019
“This situation certainly will not last, and America will be forced to stop its maximum pressure against Iran sooner or later,” he said, without elaborating.
Read more: Why is Chabahar Port no match for Gwadar?
India stopped buying Iranian oil after the US abolished waivers for some countries in May, in a move meant to wipe out the Islamic republic’s main source of revenue. The vulnerability with respect to US Sanctions on Iran will have negative ramifications for the India-Iran Chabahar Port project. The Sino-Pak Gwadar Port, on the other hand, has no such issues. There are no confinements on China’s investments Worldwide nor is Pakistan restricted by any sort of UN sanctions.
Despite tensions in their relationship, Iran and India have sought to move forward and develop partnerships.
AFP with additional input by GVS News Desk.