Location and Background
Chabahar Port is located in southeastern Iran in Sistan-Baluchestan Province, along the Gulf of Oman. It is Iran’s only oceanic port with direct access to the Indian Ocean, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.
The port has two main terminals:
- Shahid Kalantari
- Shahid Beheshti
India is directly involved in the development and operation of the Shahid Beheshti Terminal.
India’s Involvement
- India, Iran, and Afghanistan signed a Trilateral Transit Agreement in 2016.
- India committed to developing the Shahid Beheshti Terminal to enhance regional connectivity.
- The port is operated by India Ports Global Limited (IPGL), a joint venture of Indian public sector enterprises.
In 2024, India signed a long-term agreement to operate the Shahid Beheshti Terminal, strengthening its strategic presence in the region.
Strategic Importance for India
Connectivity to Afghanistan
Chabahar provides India with direct access to Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan, which denies India land transit routes.
Gateway to Central Asia
The port forms a key component of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), connecting India to Central Asia, Russia, and Europe.
Counterbalance to Gwadar
Chabahar is often viewed as a strategic counter to the Gwadar Port in Pakistan, developed by China under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Energy and Trade Security
It enhances India’s trade routes and reduces dependence on traditional maritime chokepoints.
Economic Significance
- Facilitates export of Indian goods such as wheat and pharmaceuticals to Afghanistan.
- Promotes regional trade integration.
- Supports development of free trade zones and industrial hubs around the port.
Geopolitical Context
- The port has received limited sanctions exemptions from the United States due to its role in supporting Afghanistan’s economic stability.
- It strengthens India-Iran strategic relations.
- Enhances India’s Act West policy and outreach to Eurasia.
Challenges
- Impact of U.S. sanctions on Iran.
- Regional instability.
- Infrastructure development constraints.
- Competition from Gwadar Port.
Conclusion
Chabahar Port, particularly the Shahid Beheshti Terminal, is a strategically significant project for India’s regional connectivity, trade expansion, and geopolitical balancing in West and Central Asia. It represents a key pillar of India’s efforts to secure alternative access routes to landlocked Afghanistan and resource-rich Central Asia.
