India is intensifying its diplomatic efforts on multiple fronts against Pakistan, it’s latest move against Pakistan has emerged in the form of a renewed focus on Chabahar Port, located in southeastern Iran.
The Indian Ministry for External Affairs under the guise for trade facilitation and economic development and reconstruction for Afghanistan, has emphasized the importance of Chabahar port.
India wants to develop the Chabahar Port as a critical counter to Pakistan’s Karachi port and Chinese- aided Gawadar Port.
The historical context of Chabahar is noteworthy. Indian intelligence agency RAW operative Kulbhushan Jadhav, arrested by Pakistan in 2016, revealed during his interrogation that he had been stationed in Chabahar.
India spy, Jadhav also confessed that his mission was to target areas including Karachi, the Makran Coast, Turbat, Quetta, and parts of Balochistan, which exposed the India’s ambitions for region.
Chabahar Port is a vital link connecting Afghanistan to the Indian Ocean via the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea. This makes it an important trade route for landlocked Central Asian countries and a strategic asset for India in terms of regional connectivity.
In the 19th round of political consultations between Iran and India held recently in New Delhi, both countries reiterated their commitment to strengthening cultural trade and economic ties. Whereas, India chiefly underlined the importance of Chabahar port.
India’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Indian Deputy Foreign Minister, Vikram Misri and Iran’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi highlighted the importance of the port in the reconstruction of Afghanistan through the Chabahar Port.
Eight years ago, India, Iran and Afghanistan signed a tripartite agreement, aims to develop the Chabahar port and strengthen trade ties through this strategic route.
Additionally, in 2018, India received waiver from U.S sanctions to operate in Chabahar, highlighting its strategic importance.
