AMN
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal today left for Iran. Sources said, he is expected to witness signing of the crucial Chabahar port agreement between India and Iran.
It will enable India to lease for a long-time Chabahar port situated on Iran’s coast along the Gulf of Oman. It will also open up a new trade route between South Asia and Central Asia via Iran, bypassing Karachi as well as Gwadar ports in Pakistan.
The agreement also opens up a new vista of economic opportunities for business communities to explore an alternative transit route from the sensitive and busy Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz.
Mr Sonowal’s visit amid Lok Sabha election emphasises the importance attached by New Delhi to Chabahar port and its place in ambitious plans to forge greater connectivity with Iran, Afghanistan and the landlocked Central Asian states.
India also aims to make Chabahar Port a transit hub under the International North-South Transport Corridor INSTC to reach out to Commonwealth of Independent States CIS countries.