If everything goes as per the plan, Gujarat’s Kandla port will develop and operate Iran’s Chabrah port in near future. The Port of Chabahar is a seaport in Chah Bahar in southeastern Iran. Its location lies on the border of Indian Ocean and Oman Sea. It is the only Iranian port with direct access to ocean.

According to sources in Kandla Port Trust, Government of India and Government of Iran are discussing possibilities of taking over the Chabahar port. Recently, a delegation of Iran ambassador to India visited Kandla Port in this regard.

According to sources, the Government of India believes that Chabahar Port will be helpful not only for trade purpose, but also for strategic purpose related to region’s security. China has taken over Gwadar port of Pakistan nearby, and Chabahar will be a perfect place to keep watch over Gwadar. Port Chabahar is strategically located on north-south transit corridor. This port can help India to reach Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan.

The Government of India plans to invest 10 crore dollar to develop the port and start operating multiple cargo and container terminal. While the job of multiple cargo handling will be assigned to Kandla Port Trust, the container terminal will be taken care of by Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, Mumbai according to sources.

KPT has already started preparations for this projects with presentations.

This move is strategically significant move to counter China’s presence in the region. China took over Pakistan’s Gwadar port in the region, which is just 76 km from the Chabahar port. For the first time, Gwadar would provide Chinese ships sustained anchorage in an area on the edge of the Arabian Sea, not far from the Strait of Hormuz, through which the bulk of the world’s energy supplies pass.

Chahbahar port is surrounded by a free trade zone. Pakistan does not allow transit facility from India to Afghanistan. Chabahar port will provide a transit route to land-locked Afghanistan.

America doesn’t want any investment in developing infrastructure in Iran to put pressure over its covert nuclear programme, but during his visit to Iran early this month, Indian External Affairs Minister Shri Salman Khurshid announced India’s participation in the Chabahar port project. He said the Chabahar port project reflects India and Iran’s commitment to the stability and peace in Afghanistan.