In this article, we will discuss Significance of Chabahar Port for India. So, let’s get started.
Significance of Chabahar Port for India
- Direct Route to Afghanistan: It will ensure the establishment of a politically sustainable connectivity between India and Afghanistan. This will, in turn, lead to better economic ties between the two countries.
- Pakistan denies the use of its territory by Indian trucks bound to Afghanistan.
- Chabahar Port will also help Afghanistan for its trade with other countries.
- The result will be less Afghan dependence on Pakistan and, hence, less Pakistani influence over Afghan domestic politics, which will benefit India strategically.
- Countering China: Chabahar port will be beneficial to India in countering China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as well as Chinese presence in the Arabian Sea which China is trying to ensure by helping Pakistan to develop the Gwadar port.
- Gwadar Port is just 72 km away from Chabahar Port.
- Trade and Commerce: With Chabahar port becoming functional, there will be a significant boost in the import of iron ore, sugar and rice to India.
- The import cost of oil to India will also see a considerable decline.
- According to the Ministry of Commerce, Chabahar port, along with INSTC, offers 30% cheaper imports than the Mediterranean-Suez route.
- Natural gas from Central Asia can be exported to India via the Chabahar port. India is already a part of projects like Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India (TAPI) pipeline.
- Also, India has already increased its crude purchase from Iran since the West imposed ban on Iran was lifted.
- Humanitarian Operations: From a diplomatic perspective, Chabahar port can be used by India as a point from were humanitarian operations in Central and South Asia can be coordinated.
- Link to International North-South Transport Corridor: Chabahar port will boost India’s access to Iran, the key gateway to the International North-South Transport Corridor that has sea, rail and road routes between India, Russia, Iran, Europe and Central Asia.
