India and Iran have reached a crucial agreement for the development of the strategically significant Chabahar port, as confirmed by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar after wide-ranging discussions with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian.
The bilateral talks, part of the ongoing high-level exchanges between the two nations, centered on establishing a long-term framework for India’s involvement with the Chabahar port and the North-South connectivity project. Jaishankar emphasized the importance of addressing threats to maritime shipping in the region promptly, likely referring to recent incidents targeting merchant vessels in the Red Sea amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.
In a statement on social media, Jaishankar highlighted the extensive discussions, stating, “Our bilateral discussion focused on the long term framework for India’s involvement with Chabahar port and the INSTC connectivity project.”
The Chabahar port, situated in Iran’s Sistan-Balochistan province, is a joint initiative between India and Iran aimed at enhancing connectivity and trade ties. India has been advocating for the project to boost regional trade, particularly for its strategic connectivity to Afghanistan.
During the discussions, Iranian Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian and Jaishankar explored the potential for furthering bilateral relations, addressing regional and international developments. Issues such as the Gaza situation, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and BRICS cooperation were also part of the agenda.
Jaishankar, in his meeting with Iranian President Dr Ebrahim Raisi, conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed the productive discussions with Iranian ministers. The Indian minister expressed condolences over the Kerman attack and valued President Raisi’s guidance for the further development of ties.
Earlier in the day, Jaishankar engaged in detailed and productive discussions with Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazrpash. The talks focused on establishing a long-term cooperation framework for the Chabahar port, emphasizing its strategic significance. Discussions also included views on the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
The final agreement for the development of the Chabahar port signifies a major milestone in India-Iran cooperation, aligning with India’s broader vision of enhancing connectivity and trade links in the region. The Chabahar port, seen as a key hub for the INSTC project, is part of a 7,200-km-long multi-mode transport initiative involving India, Iran, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia, and Europe.
Sources By Agencies