The statement by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit highlights the potential for maximizing the utilization of the Chabahar Port in Iran following Iran’s membership in the SCO. The Chabahar Port, located in Iran’s Sistan-Balochistan province on the Gulf of Oman, holds strategic importance due to its geographic proximity to Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
The International North-South Transport Corridor is seen as a secure and efficient route that can provide landlocked countries in Central Asia with access to the Indian Ocean. Prime Minister Modi emphasized the need to realize the full potential of this corridor, which would enhance connectivity and trade between participating nations. The corridor spans approximately 7,200 kilometers and facilitates trade and transportation between India, Afghanistan, Iran, and beyond to countries such as Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Europe.
The Chabahar Port project, with an investment of $85 million, is a significant focus for India in Iran. The project aims to establish an International Transport and Transit Corridor in Chabahar, with the construction of the port and a rail line connecting it to Zahedan as major highlights. This infrastructure development will enable the transportation of cargo from Bandar Abbas port and Chabahar port, reducing Afghanistan’s dependence on Pakistan for its trade routes.
Overall, the utilization of the Chabahar Port and the development of the International North-South Transport Corridor hold the potential to strengthen regional connectivity, boost trade, and enhance mutual trust among the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
